Weekly US oil and gas rig count unchanged

[January 07, 2012]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. remained unchanged this week, holding at 2,007.

Houston-based drilling product provider Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,191 rigs were exploring for oil and 811 for natural gas. Five were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week Baker Hughes reported 1,700 active rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 10 rigs, Arkansas gained two and Louisiana gained one.

Alaska, California and Oklahoma each lost three rigs and North Dakota, Pennsylvania and Wyoming each lost one. Colorado, New Mexico and West Virginia were unchanged.

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

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.