Nine more rigs were searching for oil and natural gas in the United States during the week ended March 4 than in the previous week, according to the latest Baker Hughes rotary rig count.

The company reported that 1,290 rigs were active in the U.S. compared to 1,281 for the week ended Feb. 25. In Canada, the number of rigs fell to 593 for the week from 617 during the last week of February.

Of the 1,290 rigs active in the U.S., Baker Hughes reported that the majority (1,090) rigs were in search of gas, while only 198 rigs explored for oil and two rigs fell into the “miscellaneous” category.

The bulk of the domestic rig activity was onshore (1,163 rigs), with the remainder operating in inland waters (28 rigs) and offshore (99 rigs), according to the Houston-based company.

The most active states were Texas (562 rigs), Louisiana (195 rigs) and Oklahoma (152 rigs), Baker Hughes reported. The least active state was Alaska, with only 12 rigs operating.

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