U.S. weekly oil and gas rig count up 32

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States rose by 32 last week to 1,758.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,472 were exploring for natural gas and 282 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Four were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,610.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 21 rigs, Oklahoma five, Colorado three, New Mexico two and Wyoming one. Alaska and Louisiana each lost two. California was unchanged.

Baker Hughes has tracked rig counts since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted several record lows in 1999, bottoming out at 488.