April 12 (Reuters) - U.S. energy firms this week cut the

number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for a fourth week

in a row for the first time since September 2023, energy

services firm Baker Hughes ( BKR ) said in its closely followed

report on Friday.

The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future

output, fell by three to 617 in the week to April 12, the lowest

since November.

Baker Hughes ( BKR ) said that puts the total rig count down 131, or

18%, below this time last year.

Baker Hughes ( BKR ) said oil rigs fell by two to 506 this week,

while gas rigs decreased by one to 109, their lowest since

January 2022.

The oil and gas rig count dropped about 20% in 2023

after rising by 33% in 2022 and 67% in 2021, due to a decline in

oil and gas prices, higher labor and equipment costs from

soaring inflation and as companies focused on paying down debt

and boosting shareholder returns instead of raising output.

U.S. oil futures were up about 20% so far in 2024

after dropping by 11% in 2023. U.S. gas futures,

meanwhile, were down about 30% so far in 2024 after plunging by

44% in 2023.

Crude oil prices have climbed to their highest this

year, but a weak natural gas market, steeper costs and a focus

on shareholder returns over new production are keeping

shale drillers

from big output increases in the world's top oil and gas

producer.

U.S. crude output is forecast to rise from a record 12.9

million barrels per day (bpd) in 2023 to 13.2 million bpd in

2024 and 13.7 million bpd in 2025, according to the latest U.S.

Energy Information Administration (EIA) outlook.

But the drop in gas prices to a 3-1/2-year low in

February and March will cut U.S. gas output to 103.6 billion

cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2024 from a record 103.8 bcfd in

2023, according to the EIA, as some producers slash spending and

reduce drilling activities.