The U.S. natural gas rig count rose two units to 143 for the week ended Thursday (April 14), matching a two-rig increase in oil-directed drilling for the period, the latest figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR) show.

daily rigs us

The combined U.S. rig count climbed to 693 for the week, up 254 units from its year-earlier total of 439. Land drilling increased by five rigs, partially offset by the departure of one rig from inland waters. The Gulf of Mexico count held steady at 12 rigs. 

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Five directional rigs were added, with total vertical rigs declining by one, according to the BKR numbers, which are based in part on data from Enverus.

In Canada, four oil-directed...