wyoming holds steady

The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 10 this week to 751.

The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by 12 this week to 569.

And yet, some sources are reporting that some oil companies, particularly in the Bakken, are starting to hire again to ramp up hydraulic fracturing operations.

Arkansas, California, Kansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming were unchanged.

The U.S. rig count peaked at 4,530 in 1981. The previous low of 488 set in 1999 was eclipsed March 11, and has continued to plunge.