The U.S. natural gas rig count went unchanged at 99 during the week ended Friday (Oct. 1), while increased activity in the oil patch lifted the combined domestic tally seven units to 528, according to the latest figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

Total domestic oil-directed rigs rose seven units to 428 for the week. 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 Enverus.

The Canadian rig count rose three units to 165 for the week, up from 75 a...