Rigs drilling in a search for natural gas and oil in the United States for the month of April came in at 1,334, an increase of 28 over March, according to the latest statistics from Baker Hughes Inc. April 2005 also had 183 more rigs operating in the U.S. than April 2004.

Internationally, the rig count for April 2005 was 898, up seven from the 891 counted in March 2005, and up 66 from the 832 counted in April 2004. The Houston-based company also reported that the international offshore rig count for April 2005 was 266, up 12 from the 254 counted in March 2005 and up six from the 260 counted in April 2004.

The Canadian rig count for April 2005 was 182, down 238 from the 420 counted in March 2005 and up 29 from the 153 counted in April 2004.

Combined, Baker Hughes said the worldwide rig count for April 2005 was 2,414, down 203 rigs, or 8% from the 2,617 counted in March 2005 and up 278 rigs, or 13% from the 2,136 counted in April 2004.

Baker Hughes said North American rig count data is scheduled to be released at noon central time on the last working day of each week. The international rig count and North American workover rig counts are scheduled to be released on the fifth working day of the month.

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