Natural Gas Rig Count Falls Below 100

For the first time in at least three decades, the number of rigs drilling for gas in the U.S. has dropped below 100.

As of Friday, there were just 97 natural gas rigs operating in the U.S., including nine in Wyoming. The number of rigs has been falling since 2008, when it reached a high of more than 1600.

But despite the falling rig count, production has continued to climb. The U.S. produced more natural gas in 2015 than ever before.

That's pushed down prices, which have hit record lows in many parts of the country in recent weeks. In Wyoming, at the Opal hub, natural gas is currently selling for around $1.30 per thousand cubic feet.

The state, which generates a significant amount of tax revenue from natural gas, is projecting an average price of $2.85 for 2016.

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