U.S. natural gas drilling activity eased lower during the week ended Friday (Sept. 24), while ongoing recovery in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) helped lift the overall domestic rig count higher for the period, according to updated numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count Sept 24

Ten oil-directed rigs were added in the United States for the week, offsetting a one-rig decline in natural gas drilling. The combined U.S. rig count finished at 521 as of Friday, up from 71 a year earlier. 

GOM activity increased by four units for the period, with four rigs added on land and one in inland waters, according to the BKR figures, which are based partly on data from Enverus. The GOM rig count had dropped to zero in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which made landfall over Louisiana late last...