File/AP PhotoHOUSTON (AP) - The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down by 12 this week to 1,953.
Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,427 rigs were exploring for oil and 522 for gas. Four were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago, Baker Hughes reported 1,905 rigs.
Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico gained seven rigs, North Dakota and Wyoming gained three and Oklahoma gained one.
Texas lost 17 rigs, Louisiana lost five, Colorado lost three and Alaska and California each lost one.
Arkansas, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were unchanged.
The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed out at 488 in 1999.
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