Stocks that Float: TANKERS & DRY BULK SHIPPERS

[xanadu90]

U.S. Weekly Oil and Gas Rig Count Up 50
Friday November 30, 3:50 pm ET

HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States rose by 50 this week to 1,823.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,463 were exploring for natural gas and 354 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Six were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,717.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained 13 rigs, and Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming each added four. Louisiana lost three, Alaska lost one and New Mexico and California were 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.