Weekly US oil and gas rig count up by 8

[October 29, 2011]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. rose by eight this week to 2,021.

Houston-based drilling product provider Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,078 rigs were exploring for oil and 934 for natural gas. Nine were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week the rig count stood at 1,672.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained seven rigs, Oklahoma picked up three and Arkansas and Pennsylvania each gained one.

Louisiana lost two rigs and Alaska, Colorado and Wyoming were each down one. The count in California, New Mexico, North Dakota and West Virginia was unchanged.

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

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.