DOMESTIC oil and gas rig count unchanged at 1,266

HOUSTON (AP) _ The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week was unchanged at 1,266. <br><br>But the number of active rigs in Oklahoma increased to 157. <br><br>Of

Saturday, August 4th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) _ The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States this week was unchanged at 1,266.

But the number of active rigs in Oklahoma increased to 157.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,047 were exploring for gas, 218 were looking for oil and one was listed as miscellaneous, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday.

A year ago, the rig count was 981.

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.

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