ENERGY
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
Oil, Gas Rig Count Rises: The number of working oil and gas rigs posted another increase this week, climbing by 19 to total 667, Baker Hughes Inc. said. It marked the fourth straight weekly gain, although the tally still trails last year’s total of 844, the Houston-based tool maker said. The recent gains seem to signal an end to a slump that had sent the count plunging last month to a record low of 596. The count is a widely watched indicator of domestic drilling activity. It represents the number of rigs actively exploring for--not producing--oil and natural gas.
