U.S. weekly oil and gas rig count up 13

(AP) The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States rose by 13 last week to 1,829.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,523 were exploring for natural gas and 300 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Six were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,732.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Wyoming and Louisiana each gained 6 rigs,

Oklahoma gained four and Texas added two. New Mexico lost seven rigs and Colorado and California each lost 1.

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.