Weekly US oil, gas rig count down 16 to 1,968

[March 24, 2012]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down by 16 this week to 1,968.

The Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,313 rigs were exploring for oil and 652 for natural gas. Three were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week Baker Hughes reported 1,738 active rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana gained nine and New Mexico picked up two. California increased by one.

Texas lost 11 rigs, and Oklahoma dropped by 10. Pennsylvania fell by three. Alaska, North Dakota and Wyoming were down by one rig apiece.

Arkansas, Colorado 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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