US rig count unchanged at 1,864

[September 15, 2012]  HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. remained unchanged this week at 1,864.

Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,413 rigs were exploring for oil and 448 were searching for gas. Three were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, Baker Hughes listed 1,985 rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained nine rigs, Colorado gained three and Oklahoma gained two.

California and Louisiana each lost four rigs, New Mexico, North Dakota and Wyoming each lost three and Pennsylvania lost one.

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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