U.S. oil drilling retreat slows as fewest rigs shut in eight weeks

HOUSTON -- The tide may be turning in the retreat of the U.S. oil explorers. Rigs targeting oil fell by 33 to 986, the smallest decline since Jan. 2, according to Baker Hughes. Rigs in the Permian basin dropped by seven to 355 after dropping by as much as 49 earlier in the month. The Eagle Ford in Texas lost three rigs. More »