U.S. weekly oil and gas rig count down 18

(AP) The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States dropped by 18 this week to 1,769.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,458 were exploring for natural gas and 305 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Six were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,754.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Louisiana lost 14 rigs, and Colorado lost six. New Mexico and Oklahoma lost three apiece, and California lost one. Wyoming gained four, and Texas gained three. Alaska’s count was unchanged.

Baker Hughes has tracked rig counts since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted several record lows in 1999, bottoming out at 488.