U.S. Weekly Oil, Gas Rig Count Up by 12

HOUSTON – The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week rose by 12 to 1,639.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,378 were exploring for gas and 260 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. One was listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count was 1,315.

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, New Mexico and Alaska each gained one rig, Colorado gained four, California gained three and Oklahoma lost one. Louisiana gained eight, and Texas lost five rigs. Wyoming lost three.