HOUSTON—The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States rose by 17 this week to 985.
Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that of the rigs running nationwide, 695 were exploring for natural gas and 280 for oil. Ten were listed as miscellaneous.
A year ago, when oil and gas prices were much higher, the rig count stood at 1,998.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas added 17 rigs, Oklahoma gained four, California added three and New Mexico added one. Wyoming lost two and Louisiana, Alaska, Arkansas and North Dakota each lost one. Colorado was unchanged.
The rig count tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.
