Domestic oil and gas rig count down by 10

(HOUSTON) - The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week decreased by 10 to 782. <br><br>Of the rigs running nationwide, 639 were exploring for gas, 142

Friday, March 1st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(HOUSTON) - The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week decreased by 10 to 782.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 639 were exploring for gas, 142 were looking for oil and one was listed as miscellaneous, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday.

A year ago, the rig count was 1,151.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana and Texas lost four rigs and Wyoming lost one. Oklahoma gained three while Alaska, California and New Mexico were unchanged.

Baker Hughes has kept track of the count since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 on Dec. 28, 1981, during the height of the oil boom, but set several record lows in 1999, bottoming out at 488 on April 23, 1999.