Weekly rig count declines

HOUSTON (AP) The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States fell by two this week to 1,543.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 1,322 were exploring for gas and 219 for oil, Houstonbased Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Two were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count was 1,281.

Baker Hughes has kept track of the count since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom.Of the major oiland gas-producing states, Louisiana gained four rigs, Wyoming gained two and Oklahoma gained one. Texas lost five rigs and New Mexico lost three. Alaska, California and Colorado were unchanged.