During the week ended Nov. 2, Houston-based Baker Hughes reported that the number of rigs searching for oil and gas in the United States fell by five from the previous week to 1,058. Of the U.S. rigs, 874 were drilling for natural gas and 184 were searching for oil. Research from a year ago showed that the country’s rig count was notched at 1,078.

Despite the decline, The number of rigs in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico rose by two from 130 to 132, compared to 148 a year ago. An increase by four rigs in the Gulf of Mexico looking for gas was partially offset by a two-rig drop exploring for oil. The rig count in Canada was down three from 284 to 281 for the week, compared to 362 last year.

In the United States, 903 rigs were searching on land, a decrease of three from the last week, while the number of offshore rigs was up two to 136. Baker Hughes said there were 19 inland rigs in operation, a four rig decline from the previous week.

While dropping eight rigs from a week earlier, the total North American rig count of 1,339 remained comparable to last year’s 1,440.

©Copyright 2001 Intelligence Press Inc. All rights reserved. The preceding news report may not be republished or redistributed, in whole or in part, in any form, without prior written consent of Intelligence Press, Inc.