US rig count increases by 9 to 1,659

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by nine the week ending Oct. 1 to 1,659.

Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said that 962 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 687 for oil. Ten were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,024.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Pennsylvania gained nine rigs, North Dakota gained three rigs, New Mexico and Wyoming each gained two and Alaska and California each gained one. Colorado lost three rigs, Arkansas and Louisiana each lost two and West Virginia lost one. Oklahoma and Texas were unchanged.

The rig count tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.

—The Associated Press