Weekly US oil and gas rig count down by 11

[December 27, 2011]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. decreased by 11 this week to 2,008.

Houston-based drilling product provider Baker Hughes Inc. reported Thursday that 1,201 rigs were exploring for oil and 802 for natural gas. Five were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week Baker Hughes reported 1,714 active rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico added four rigs, Wyoming added three and Texas added one.

North Dakota lost seven rigs, Colorado, Louisiana and Oklahoma each lost three and Alaska, Arkansas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia each lost one. California was unchanged.

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

The weekly report, normally released Fridays, moved early because of Christmas.

[Associated Press]

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