Rig count down 30 this week to 541; Texas down 14

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The number of rigs exploring for oil or natural gas in Utah remained the same last week, when the number nationally declined by 30 to 541.

Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 439 rigs sought oil and 102 explored for natural gas amid depressed energy prices. A year ago, 1,358 rigs were active.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas declined by 14 rigs, New Mexico and Oklahoma by four each and North Dakota was down three. Colorado, Pennsylvania and Wyoming lost two apiece while Kansas was off by one.

California and Louisiana gained one rig each.

Alaska, Arkansas, Ohio and West Virginia joined Utah in being unchanged.

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