Louisiana is 28 percent and 44 units above the 157 rigs active this time last year. Overall U.S. rig counts rose 12 units to 1,228, just four under the yearly high of 1,232 set March 30. U.S. counts are now 367 units, or 42.6 percent, above the 861 rigs under contract in 2000 at this time. Texas is half the reason why. The Longhorn State is 47.5 percent and 168 units ahead of the 353 under contract this time a year ago.
Crude costs are the key factor in the price of gasoline.
Subtract the national average of 42 cents in state and federal taxes and about 70 percent of remaining cost of gasoline comes from crude.