A drop in oil-directed drilling, including in the Permian Basin, saw the overall U.S. rig count drop three units to 764 for the week ended Friday (Aug. 5), updated numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR) show.

Changes in the United States included a net decline of seven oil-directed rigs, partially offset by a four-rig increase in natural gas-directed drilling. 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...