The United States oil and natural gas rig count increased by 10 over the past week, according to Baker Hughes latest weekly report. The new numbers mark the first time the oil rig count has exceeded 400 rigs since February. At 83, gas rigs showed no change from last week’s figure, however, oil rigs rose in number by 10 to 406, marking the 8th straight week of growth for the oil count. One year ago, oil rigs were 674 strong, while the gas count stood at 211. North Dakota, the state home to America’s most recent oil boom, lost two rigs this week and New Mexico lost one. The largest gains occurred in Texas – particularly in the Permian Basin – where eight new rigs became operational over the past seven days and Pennsylvania reopened two sites. Texas saw the largest additions last week as well. […]