Rig Game

Want to drill an oil or gas well? Get in line. After a stunning 2004, this year looks to be even better for drilling companies. And 2006 could top them both, if prices stay high.

To take advantage of oil at $45.50 per barrel and gas at $6 per thousand cubic feet, exploration companies are hiring drillers to get the goods out of the ground fast. Worldwide, more drilling rigs are working now than at any time since the early 1980s. In early February, 2,600 rigs were boring for energy worldwide, up from 1,800 in the last trough of 2002.

www.forbes.com