Number of active rigs increase by 21

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. this week rose by 21 this week to 1,069.

Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 728 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 330 for oil. Eleven were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,971.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 13 rigs, Oklahoma and North Dakota each gained four, Colorado gained one and New Mexico, Louisiana and Alaska each gained one. Wyoming lost three rigs and California lost one. The numbers of rigs in Arkansas was unchanged.

The rig count tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.