Weekly US oil, gas rig count up 8 to 1,989

[March 03, 2012]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is up eight this week to 1,989.

The Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,293 rigs were exploring for oil and 691 for natural gas. Five were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week Baker Hughes reported 1,707 active rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas and North Dakota each gained six; Oklahoma was up three; and California, New Mexico and Wyoming one each.

Colorado declined by four and Louisiana three. Alaska, Arkansas and West Virginia were unchanged.

The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.

[Associated Press]

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