The U.S. natural gas rig count eased one unit lower to 91 for the holiday-shortened week ended Thursday (April 1), while a spring surge in the oil patch sent the overall domestic tally higher by double digits, according to data published by Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Baker rig count US

Thirteen oil-directed rigs were added in the United States, along with one miscellaneous unit, pushing the combined U.S. count to 430, versus 664 rigs active in the year-ago period, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data provided by Enverus.

Land drilling increased by 11 rigs for the week, while two rigs were added in the Gulf of Mexico. Eleven horizontal rigs and four directional rigs were added, partially offset by a decrease of two vertical units.

The Canadian rig count fell 12 units to...