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HOUSTON—The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. dropped by one this week to 1,345.
Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 893 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 440 for oil. Twelve were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,300.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico and West Virginia each gained three rigs, Louisiana gained two and Arkansas one. Oklahoma lost three rigs, Colorado and Texas each lost two and North Dakota and Alaska each lost one. California, Pennsylvania 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.
