Oil Rig Count Increases by 17: The...

Oil Rig Count Increases by 17: The number of working oil and gas rigs in the United States increased this week to 1,065, after falling by 60 the week before, a tool making company that follows such activity reported. Baker Hughes Inc., which has kept track of the widely watched index of drilling activity since 1940, said the count was 964 a year ago. The count represents the number of rigs actively exploring for petroleum and natural gas, not those producing oil and gas. Among major oil-producing states, Texas posted the largest gain of 30 this week and California’s count increased by 11, while Oklahoma’s count fell by nine and Louisiana was down seven.