HOUSTON (AP) — The number of rigs exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased by eight this week to 915.

That's up from the 588 rigs that were active a year ago.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes said Friday that 738 rigs sought oil and 177 explored for natural gas this week.

Among major oil- and gas-producing states, Texas gained seven rigs, Louisiana added four and Ohio and Utah were up one apiece.

Alaska, Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Wyoming declined by one each.

Arkansas, California, Pennsylvania and West Virginia were unchanged.

The U.S. rig co...