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HOUSTON—The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 21 this week to 1,527.
Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 954 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 561 for oil. Twelve were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 876.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 16, Oklahoma gained seven and Wyoming gained one. Alaska and West Virginia each gained two. Louisiana lost four, New Mexico lost three, and California, Colorado and Pennsylvania each lost one. Arkansas and North Dakota 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.
