HOUSTON—The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. rose by 17 this week to 1,847 from a week ago.
Baker Hughes Inc., based in Houston, reported Friday that 958 rigs were exploring for oil and 881 for gas. Eight were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, the count was 1,535.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 16 rigs, New Mexico and Arkansas each added two and Oklahoma increased its numbers by one. Louisiana lost the most rigs, dropping by four, while California, Wyoming and North Dakota each lost one.
Alaska, Colorado, Pennsylvania and West Virginia remained unchanged.
The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981, the height of the oil boom. A record low of 488 was counted in 1999.
