Rig count slide continues

HOUSTON - The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the United States fell by 12 last week to 916.

Of the major oil- and gas-producing states, Arkansas added one rig. Louisiana lost four rigs, California lost three, Texas and New Mexico each lost two and Alaska and Wyoming each lost one. Colorado, North Dakota and Oklahoma were unchanged.

Of the rigs running nationwide, 672 were exploring for natural gas and 234 for oil, Houston-based Baker Hughes Inc. reported Friday. Ten were listed as miscellaneous.

A year ago, the rig count stood at 1,922. The U.S. count is down 55 percent since the end of August as weak energy demand has hampered oilfield activity.

Oil prices peaked at almost $150 a barrel last July before plunging. On Friday, benchmark crude for August delivery fell 54 cents to $59.87 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Baker Hughes has tracked rig counts since 1944. The tally peaked at 4,530 in 1981, during the height of the oil boom. The industry posted a record low of 488 in 1999.

Casper foreclosures increase

Casper's foreclosure rate increased in May, First American CoreLogic reports.

The rate of foreclosure among outstanding mortgage loans was 0.7 percent, an increase of 0.2 percentage points compared to May 2008.

Foreclosure activity in Casper is lower than the national rate, which was 2.5 percent in May.

Casper's mortgage delinquency rate also increased. In all, 2.2 percent of mortgage loans were 90 days or more delinquent, compared to 1.4 percent for the same period last year.

Sidelines expands to Green River

GREEN RIVER - The Casper-based company that operates Sidelines Sports Bar/Restaurant plans to open a Sidelines facility in Green River, according to area economic development officials.

Michelle Hostetler, director of the Sweetwater Economic Development Association, said Sidelines owner Sonny Pilcher plans to construct a new Sidelines adjacent to the new Hampton Inn Hotel, which is located on the northwest end of town.

Hostetler said the company wants the council to help with a Community Development Block Grant to secure funding to pave a large parking lot around the new restaurant that would be used for "extra" parking.

The Green River Sidelines will house two different kinds of diners, she said, and include both formal and sports bar dining for patrons.

She said the new Sidelines will support the hotel and the new parking lot could spur future development in the area, particularly in the vacant lands that surround the hotel.

"We hope they can use that parking lot to help bring other businesses to the area," Hosteler said. "If we have a project that has a fighting chance to do that, this is it."

Councilman Pete Rust lauded the project. "We've been trying to recruit new restaurants, but haven't been real successful," Rust said. "They've got a great location by the new hotel and whatever the city can do to help, we'll do."

Greiner receives Ford award

Greiner Ford Lincoln Mercury of Casper is among the Ford dealerships to receive the company's 2008 President's Award.

The award honors dealerships that have excelled in automotive retailing in 2008 by providing exceptional customer service and satisfaction, according to a press release.

Greiner is the largest stand-alone Ford Lincoln Mercury dealership in Wyoming and has won the President's Award three times since the award's inception in 1998.

Western Design conference slated

This year's Western Design Conference Exhibit and Sale will be held Sept. 10-12, at the Snow King Resort Pavilion in Jackson.

The juried Western design show is known for its high standards in selecting exhibitors of furniture and accessories inspired by the American West, according to a press release.

Magazine spotlights state

The Wyoming Business Council is sponsoring a second issue of the Wyoming Business Images magazine that showcases Wyoming�s people, places and business climate.

The publication is a collaborative effort between the Wyoming Business Council and Journal Communications, a custom publisher of community and specialty magazines. For more information, contact Colin Wright at 307-777-2800.{M3

Regional compensation reported

Employer costs for employee compensation in private industry in the West averaged $29.53 in March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Overall, compensation costs among private industry employers in the United States averaged $27.46 per hour worked. Wages and salaries, at $19.45, accounted for 70.8 percent of these costs, while benefits, at $8.02, made up the remaining 29.2 percent.

State receives clean-up money

The Environmental Protection Agency will distribute $929,000 to Wyoming to assess and clean up underground storage tank petroleum leaks.

The greatest potential hazard from a leaking underground storage tank is petroleum or other hazardous substances contaminating groundwater, a press release indicates.

WINhealth CEO resigns

Beth Wasson has resigned as CEO of Cheyenne-based WINhealth Partners, according to a press release.

Wasson is joining her husband in their organic ranch business, which specializes in production and distribution of organic foods and all-natural products.

Dr. Jack Glode has been named interim CEO while a search for a permanent replacement is conducted.

Ag sign-up begins Monday

Eligible ranchers and livestock producers can begin applying for benefits through the Livestock Indemnity Program on Monday.

The program provides financial assistance to producers for livestock deaths that result from natural disaster. It compensates livestock owners and contract growers for livestock losses in excess of normal mortality due to adverse weather, including hurricanes, floods, blizzards, certain diseases, wildfires, extreme heat and extreme cold. Eligible losses must have occurred on or after Jan. 1, 2008, and before Oct. 1, 2011.

Drought is not a qualifying event.