AP reported that the number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the US has risen by 21 this week to 2,008.

The Houston based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc said that 1,223 rigs were exploring for oil and 780 for natural gas. Five were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week Baker Hughes reported 1,713 active rigs.

Of the major oil and gas producing states, Oklahoma gained nine rigs, Wyoming and North Dakota each gained four, Colorado's rig count rose by two and Pennsylvania and West Virginia each added one. Texas and Louisiana both dropped two rigs, while California and New Mexico each lost one. Alaska and Arkansas remained unchanged.

The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.

(Sourced from Associated Press)