A new report by the Associated Press has shown that the number of rigs actively deployed in the exploration of oil and natural gas in the US has risen by nine to 1,078.
Houston-based oilfield service company, Baker Hughes, said on November 6 that 734 rigs were engaged in natural gas exploration while 332 rigs were exploring oil opportunities. A further twelve were listed as miscellaneous exploration activity.
The new statistics were placed against last year's count of 1,992.
The total rig count tally reached its peak in 1981 with a total of 4,530 rigs deployed during the height of the oil boom. The industry's lowest point was in 1999 with only 488 rigs.
