Increased drilling activity in the Permian Basin and in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) helped lift the U.S. rig count seven units higher to 528 for the week ended Friday (Oct. 1), according to the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

shale rig count October 1

The total number of natural gas-directed rigs operating domestically was unchanged for the week, with oil-directed rigs accounting for the entirety of the overall net gain. Land drilling increased by four, while the GOM saw its total rise three units to 11. The United States ended the week with nearly double the 266 rigs running in the year-earlier period.

Horizontal rigs increased by three in the United States, with directional rigs and vertical rigs each increasing by two overall, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from...