The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.
HOUSTON (AP) - Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. was unchanged last week, holding at 1,931.
The Houston firm said Friday in its weekly report that 1,592 rigs were exploring for oil and 338 for gas. One was listed as miscellaneous. A year ago there were 1,744 active rigs.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Wyoming gained three rigs, New Mexico increased by two and Alaska, Colorado and West Virginia each gained one.
Texas declined by three rigs, Oklahoma was down two and California and Pennsylvania each dropped one.
Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, North Dakota, Ohio and Utah all were unchanged.
The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.