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HOUSTON—The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. decreased by 10 this week to 1,772.
Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 885 rigs were exploring for gas and 880 for oil. Seven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, the count was 1,491.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma gained 10 rigs, Alaska gained two and North Dakota gained one.
Texas lost 12 rigs, Pennsylvania lost five, Louisiana lost three, New Mexico lost two and Arkansas and West Virginia each lost one.
California, Colorado and Wyoming were unchanged.
The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981, the height of the oil boom. The record low of 488 was in 1999.
