Domestic rig count up

by The Associated Press

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States had risen to 1,054 by mid-October. A year ago, the rig count was at 750.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 844 were exploring for gas, 210 were looking for oil and none were listed as miscellaneous, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Oct. 20.

Baker Hughes has kept track of the count since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 on Dec. 28, 1981, during the height of the oil boom, but set several record lows last year, bottoming out at 488 on April, 23, 1999.

Of the major oil and gas producing states, in the last month Louisiana gained seven rigs, California and New Mexico each gained two and Alaska gained one. Oklahoma lost seven rigs while Texas and Wyoming each lost one.