Domestic Oil Drilling Falls: Domestic drilling slipped...

Domestic Oil Drilling Falls: Domestic drilling slipped slightly last week, while drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico declined for the fourth consecutive week, energy surveys showed. Baker Hughes Inc. reported 1,086 rigs worked in the United States last week, compared to 1,089 the week before and 1,061 the same week a year ago. Offshore Data Services reported five fewer rigs working in the Gulf of Mexico last week, dropping the rate there to 66.3%, the lowest level since August. Activity in European waters was unchanged, with 126 rigs working out of a fleet of 138 for a healthy utilization rate of 91.3%.