HOUSTON, March 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. rig count added three this week, building on weeks of consistent but slow growth, according to weekly data collected by Baker Hughes released on Friday.
Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported that the number of oil-seeking rigs fell by four, but natural gas-drilling rigs increased by seven.
The U.S national rig count has risen to 984, with nearly half of all the nation's rigs in the Permian Basin area which spans West Texas and New Mexico.
This week, rigs were added in North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Colorado and Texas, which had an increase in seven rigs, the highest of any state. Two of Texas rigs were added in the prolific Permian Basin.
