Driven by strong growth in the Permian Basin and in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), the U.S. rig count surged nine units higher to 779 for the week ended Nov. 11, oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR) reported Friday.

Oil-directed drilling accounted for the entirety of the domestic gains for the period, as the natural gas rig count was unchanged week/week at 155. 

Land drilling increased by four in the United States, while two rigs were added in inland waters. The GOM added three rigs to raise its total to 16, up from 15 in the year-earlier period. Six horizontal rigs were added domestically, alongside three directional units.

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