HOUSTON, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The number of active drilling rigs in the United States fell by seven this week to 1,052, but still 111 more than that this time last year, showed weekly data collected by Baker Hughes released Friday.

The Houston-based oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported that the number of oil rigs operating in the United States fell by one while those seeking natural gas dropped by six, driving the overall rig count down to 1,052, compared to 941 a year ago.

The Permian Basin region of West Texas and New Mexico dominates drilling activity with 474 oil rigs, compared to 369 a year ago, accounting for more than half the 862 oil drilling rigs operating in the country.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)'s agreement sent oil prices soaring on Friday.

The West Texas Intermediate (WTI), the U.S. benchmark of crude oil prices, for August delivery rose 3.04 U.S. dollar to settle at 68.58 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for August delivery was up 2.50 dollars to close at 75.55 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.

OPEC issued a communique on Friday which was interpreted as announcement of encouraging producers to boost production.