Weekly US oil and gas rig count drops 10 to 2,013

[October 22, 2011]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. fell by 10 this week to 2,013.

Houston-based drilling product provider Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,079 rigs were exploring for oil and 927 for natural gas. Seven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week the rig count stood at 1,669.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Colorado gained five rigs, while Pennsylvania picked up one.

Oklahoma fell by seven rigs, and Louisiana dropped six. Texas was five rigs lower. Arkansas, North Dakota and Wyoming each lost one.

Alaska, California, New Mexico and West Virginia were unchanged.

The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. A record low of 488 was recorded in 1999.

[Associated Press]

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