U.S. rotary rig count hits 20-year high

HOUSTON, April 14 (UPI) -- The number of rotary oil and gas drilling rigs working in the United States has hit a 20-year high.

Baker Hughes Inc. says that the U.S. rig count rose 31 last week to 1,610, the Oil & Gas Journal reported Thursday.

That's up from 1,348 rigs working during the same period last year and the highest count since the week ended Jan. 24, 1986.

Land operations accounted for the increase, up 32 rigs to 1,494. Activity in inland waters increased by one rig to 22. Offshore drilling decreased by two rigs to 94 in U.S. waters, however, including the decline of one rig to 90 in the Gulf of Mexico.

The biggest onshore increase came in Texas, up 13 to 730 rigs.