Number of U.S. rotary rigs up slightly amid rising oil prices

HOUSTON, Dec. 23 (Xinhua) -- The number of active rotary rigs in the United States increased by one over the week as oil prices headed toward 60 U.S. dollars a barrel, according to weekly data collected by a local oil field services company.

The Houston-based Baker Hughes reported that the number of oil rigs across the country stayed steady at 747 in the past week, while gas rigs rose by one to 184. These two numbers combined show a decline from the recent peak of 958 in July.

Still, the count has risen by 278 compared to the same period last year, with oil rigs up 224, and gas rigs 55.

Meanwhile the data indicated that the country's offshore rig count stayed unchanged at 19, down six year on year.

As far as specific states are concerned, Texas and Wyoming each lost two rigs, Oklahoma lost one, New Mexico added four and North Dakota added one, according to the report.

Baker Hughes releases on a weekly basis the number of drilling rigs actively exploring or developing oil or natural gas in the United States and Canada. Similar statistics covering the whole world are unveiled by the company every month.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil rose 11 cents to 58.47 dollars per barrel in New York as of Saturday, according to Nasdaq figures. Enditem