The U.S. natural gas rig count rose four units to 161 during the week ended Friday (Aug. 5), while a seven-rig decline in oil-directed drilling dropped the overall domestic tally three units to 764, according to the latest count from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

The 764 active rigs as of Friday represents a 273-rig increase year/year, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

Land drilling was unchanged overall in the United States for the period, while two inland waters rigs and one offshore rig packed up shop. Vertical drilling declined by three units domestically, while directional drilling declined one unit overall; partially offsetting was a one-rig increase in total horizontal rigs.

[Want to know how global LNG demand impacts North American...