U.S. Weekly Oil, Gas Rig Count Up by 25

HOUSTON – The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week increased by 25 to 1,571.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,314 were exploring for gas and 255 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Two were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count was 1,331.

Baker Hughes has kept track of the count since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. Several record lows were set in 1999, bottoming out at 488.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 20 rigs, Colorado two, and New Mexico and Wyoming one each. Louisiana lost two and Alaska lost one, while California and Oklahoma remained unchanged.