More drilling leads to increased rig count in Oklahoma

( Kevin Fujii / Chronicle ) 

Oklahoma saw its oil and gas rig count grow over the past week while the nationwide numbers were unchanged for another week, according to the Baker Hughes Co. rig count released Friday.

The number of active oil and gas rigs in Oklahoma increased by two, reaching a total of 44 rigs. A year ago, the count was 37.

The U.S. count remained at 535, same as the previous week. The number of oil rigs stayed at 479 and the number of gas-drllling rigs was unchanged at 102 while the miscellaneous rig count continued at 4.

The U.S. count is still 31 below the count of 616 one year ago including a decline of 15 oil rigs and 16 gas rigs. The number of offshore rigs in the U.S. is down two from 14.

Texas saw no change in its count of 281, according to the Baker Hughes report. New Mexico remained at 100 and North Dakota saw no change with a count of 34 rigs.

Louisiana’s count fell three to 33. The Red Top Rig Report published by the Independent Oil & Gas Service showed the count in Kansas was also unchanged at 34 rigs.

Colorado’s count slipped by one to 11 and Utah remained at 12 rigs. Ohio stayed at 10. West Virginia continued with 10 rigs and Wyoming’s count increased one to 18 rigs.