US rig count increases this week by 11

(AP) Oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. says the number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 11 this week to 1,764.

The Houston-based company said in its weekly report Friday that 1,332 rigs were exploring for oil and 428 for gas. Four were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, Baker Hughes counted 1,997 working rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained seven rigs, Oklahoma six, Alaska and California gained three and North Dakota two.

Louisiana lost three rigs, while Arkansas, Pennsylvania and Wyoming each lost one. The count in Colorado, New Mexico and West Virginia was unchanged.

The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.