Amid continued expansion in the Permian Basin, the U.S. rig count climbed three units overall to reach 673 for the week ended Friday (April 1), according to the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

Two oil-directed rigs and one natural gas-directed rig were added in the United States for the period, putting the combined domestic tally nearly 250 units ahead of its year-earlier total of 430, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

Land drilling by exploration and production (E&P) companies increased by four units for the period, offsetting a one-rig decline in inland waters drilling. The Gulf of Mexico count held steady at 14. Three horizontal rigs were added overall, with directional and vertical drilling totals unchanged...