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HOUSTON—The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. rose by 11 this week to 1,346.
Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 891 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 443 for oil. Twelve were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,339.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana gained seven rigs, North Dakota and Texas each gained five, Colorado gained four and Alaska, California and Oklahoma each gained one. Pennsylvania and West Virginia each lost four rigs and New Mexico lost two. Arkansas and Wyoming were 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.
