U.S. rig count up 15 this week; Utah down one

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Houston • The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 15 this week to 824, although Utah was one of three statses in which operations declined.

A year ago, 450 rigs were active.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday that 662 rigs sought oil and 160 explored for natural gas this week. Two were listed as miscellaneous.

Texas increased by seven rigs and Louisiana added six. Alaska rose by three while New Mexico gained two.

Colorado declined by two, while Utah and North Dakota were each down by one.

Arkansas, California, Kansas, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyoming were all unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. It bottomed out last May at 404.