U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating for the first time in 10 weeks even as producers return to the wellpad with crude prices mostly trading over $40 a barrel since mid June. The U.S. oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by two to 310 in the week to Nov. 20, according to data on Friday from energy services firm Baker Hughes Co. The total rig count fell to a record low of 244 during the week ended Aug. 14, while oil rigs alone fell to a 15-year low of 172 in the same week, according to Baker Hughes data going back to 1940. U.S. oil rigs fell five to 231 ... (full story)