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HOUSTON (AP) -- The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. rose by 18 this week to 1,335.

Baker Hughes Inc., based in Houston, said Friday that 878 rigs were exploring for natural gas and 445 for oil. Twelve were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week, the rig count stood at 1,399.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Oklahoma and Texas each gained three rigs, New Mexico and West Virginia each gained two, and Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, North Dakota and Wyoming each gained one. Alaska, California and Pennsylvania were unchanged.

The rig count tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.

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