Rig Count Continues to Rise

Baker Hughes Inc.'s international rig count for December 2000 was 705, up five from the 700 counted in November 2000 and up 131 from the 574 counted in December 1999. The international offshore rig count for December 2000 was 201, up 5 from the 196 counted in November 2000 and up 42 from the 159 counted in December 1999. The U.S. rig count for December 2000 was 1,097 up 30 from the 1,067 counted in November 2000 and up 299 from the 798 counted in December 1999. The Canadian rig count for December 2000 was 410 up 48 from the 362 counted in November 2000 and up 25 from the 385 counted in December 1999. The worldwide rig count for December 2000 was 2,212, up 83 from the 2,129 counted in November 2000 and up 455 from the 1,757 counted in December 1999.