HOUSTON, July 19 (Xinhua) -- The number of active drilling rigs in the United States decreased by four to 954 this week, and 92 rigs down from a year ago, according to the weekly data released by oilfield services provider Baker Hughes on Friday.
These included 779 oil rigs operating in the U.S. oil fields, down five; 174 gas drilling rigs, up two; and one miscellaneous drilling rig, down one, the Houston-based oilfield services company reported.
Of the 954 rigs, 926 are land drilling ones, down four; two are inland water drilling ones and 26 offshore drilling ones, it said.
Of them, 69 are directional drilling rigs, 829 are horizontal drilling rigs and 56 are vertical drilling rigs, it added.
The number of drilling rigs increased the most by five to 107 rigs in the state of New Mexico, but decreased by two to 454 rigs in Texas.
Oil prices rebounded on Friday amid new concerns about tensions in the Middle East, which may disrupt the flow of crude.
The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for August delivery rose 0.33 U.S. dollar to 55.63 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for September delivery gained 0.54 dollar to close at 62.47 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.
