Bolstered by modest gains in both natural gas and oil drilling, the combined U.S. rig count climbed three units to 782 for the week ended Friday (Nov. 18), according to updated numbers published by Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

Changes in the United States for the week included gains of two natural gas-directed rigs and one oil-directed rig. Land drilling increased by four units, partially offset by a one-rig decline in inland waters. The Gulf of Mexico count held flat at 16. Three horizontal rigs and one vertical rig were added, with total directional rigs down one week/week.

The combined 782 active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 563 rigs active in the year-earlier period, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

The Canadian rig count,...