HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. declined by 11 this week to 898.

That's up from the 569 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 729 rigs sought oil and 169 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Colorado added four rigs, Texas gained three, while Alaska tacked on two.

Oklahoma lost eight rigs and Louisiana shed four. New Mexico and North Dakota both lost a pair, while Utah dropped one.

Arkansas, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Wyomi...