US weekly oil and gas rig count down, state gains

HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas decreased nationwide this week while the number in Oklahoma rose.<br/><br/>Houston-based Baker Hughes says the number of active

Friday, December 16th 2005, 12:49 pm

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas decreased nationwide this week while the number in Oklahoma rose.

Houston-based Baker Hughes says the number of active rigs in the United States decreased by 20 while the number in Oklahoma increased by one.

Of the other major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas lost 15 rigs, Colorado seven and Alaska and California are both down by one. Louisiana and New Mexico each gained five rigs and Wyoming added three.