OKLAHOMA'S domestic oil and gas rig count down six to 1,264

HOUSTON (AP) _ The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in Oklahoma was down this week by one to 157. <br><br>The number of rigs operating in the United States was down by six to 1,264,

Friday, June 8th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) _ The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in Oklahoma was down this week by one to 157.

The number of rigs operating in the United States was down by six to 1,264, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. A year ago, the rig count was at 840.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,051 were exploring for gas, 212 were looking for oil and one was listed as miscellaneous, Baker Hughes reported.

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, Louisiana gained five rigs and Wyoming two. Texas lost three rigs. Rig counts in Alaska, California and New Mexico were unchanged.