The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down eight this week to 1,989.

The Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday that 1,263 rigs were exploring for oil and 720 for natural gas. Six were listed as miscellaneous. A year ago this week Baker Hughes reported 1,721 active rigs.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, New Mexico gained three rigs, Oklahoma gained two and Alaska, Louisiana, North Dakota and West Virginia each gained one.

Texas lost five rigs, Arkansas and Pennsylvania each lost three and California, Colorado and Wyoming each lost one.

The rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981 and bottomed at 488 in 1999.