Domestic oil and gas rig count down by three

(HOUSTON) - The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week decreased by three to 750. <br><br>Of the rigs running nationwide, 605 were exploring for gas, 144

Friday, March 22nd 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 three to 750.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 605 were exploring for gas, 144 were looking for oil and one was listed as miscellaneous, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday.

A year ago, the rig count was 1,163.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma gained three rigs, Wyoming two and Alaska one. The count was unchanged in California, Louisiana and New Mexico. Texas lost 10.

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.