US rig count increases by 1 to 1,654

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by one the week ending Sept. 10 to 1,654.

Houston-based drilling systems provider Baker Hughes Inc. said 980 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 663 for oil. Eleven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, the rig count stood at 999.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma gained six rigs, Alaska gained two and Colorado, North Dakota and Pennsylvania gained one apiece. Texas lost 11 rigs while New Mexico and Wyoming each lost one. Arkansas, California, Louisiana and West Virginia remained unchanged.

The rig 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