HOUSTON, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. rig count dipped slightly this week as a large decline in oil rigs was mostly offset by an increase in rigs seeking natural gas, according to weekly data collected by Baker Hughes released on Friday.
Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported that the number of oil-seeking rigs fell by seven, but natural gas drillers added five rigs, bringing the net decline to two.
The Texas Permian alone now accounts for 443 oil rigs - 56 percent of the oil rig count nationwide. Likewise, Texas is home to 496 total rigs - half of the nation's total of 993 rigs.
The overall rig count, including oil and gas rigs, has sat below 1,000 since April 2015 when oil prices collapsed.
