US rig count up 27 to 624

The number of rigs drilling for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 27 the week ending Dec. 9 to 624.

A year ago, 709 rigs were active. Depressed energy prices have curtailed exploration, although the rig count has been rising in recent weeks.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. said 498 rigs sought oil, up 21 from the previous week, and 125 targeted natural gas, up six. One was listed as miscellaneous.

Texas gained 17 rigs, Colorado increased by six, Wyoming gained three, Pennsylvania increased by two and Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico and North Dakota each gained one.

Alaska, Louisiana and Oklahoma each declined by one.

California, Ohio, Utah and West Virginia were unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out in May at 404.

- Associated Press