Weekly US oil, gas rig count down by 3 to 1,983

[May 26, 2012]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983.

Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,383 rigs were exploring for oil and 594 were looking for gas. Six were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, Baker Hughes reported 1,847 rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Colorado gained five rigs; North Dakota four; Alaska two and California one.

Texas declined by eight rigs; Pennsylvania by four; New Mexico and Oklahoma two each and Wyoming one.

Arkansas, Louisiana 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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