U.S. Weekly Oil, Gas Rig Count Up by 31

HOUSTON – The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week increased by 31 to 1,610.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,349 were exploring for gas and 259 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Thursday. Two were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count was 1,348.

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 13 rigs, Wyoming and Colorado each gained four and Oklahoma one. California lost two rigs. Alaska, Louisiana and New Mexico were unchanged.