Oklahoma oil, gas rig count drops by 6

HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down by 16 this week to 1,973.

The Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Incorporated reported Friday that 1,296 rigs were exploring for oil and 670 for natural gas. Seven were listed as miscellaneous.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma shut down six rigs, while Texas gained three. Louisiana picked up one. The count was unchanged for Arkansas.