US rig count up, state down

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

Friday, June 16th 2006, 2:01 pm

By: News On 6

HOUSTON (AP) _ The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas increased nationwide this week while the number in Oklahoma is down.

Houston-based Baker Hughes says the number of active rigs in the United States rose by eleven and the number in Oklahoma fell by two.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, California and New Mexico each gained six rigs, Wyoming gained four, Texas three and Colorado two. Louisiana is down seven rigs while the number in Alaska is unchanged.

Baker Hughes has kept track of the rig count since 1944.