The U.S. natural gas rig count fell one unit to 157 for the week ended Friday (Oct. 14), while strong growth in the oil patch lifted the combined domestic tally seven units higher to 769, according to updated numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

Changes domestically included an eight-rig increase in oil-directed rigs. Six rigs were added on land in the United States, with one rig added in the Gulf of Mexico. Horizontal drilling increased by seven units, while directional and vertical drilling totals were unchanged for the week.

The 769 active U.S. rigs as of Friday are up from 543 rigs running in the year-earlier period, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

The Canadian rig count rose one unit to end the week at 216, up from 168 in the...