The number of oil and gas rigs drilling in the US has risen by 23 this week to 899.

The number of rigs drilling in the US Gulf lost one this week to total 45, while the number of rigs drilling for oil gained 13 to total 196 and those drilling for gas gained seven to total 692, a report by Houston-based oil services company Baker Hughes said today.

This week, rigs in Alaska remained unchanged at four, Arkansas was also unchanged at 44 as California gained three to total 24.

Colorado gained three rigs this week, bringing the total to 44. Louisiana gained four to total 137 while New Mexico gained one to total 37.

North Dakota remained unchanged at 36, while Oklahoma gained one to total 77, Texas gained 10 bringing their total to 330, and Wyoming remained the same 31.