Driven in part by a slowdown in Marcellus Shale activity, the U.S. rig count eased one unit lower to finish at 763 for the week ended Friday (Aug. 12), according to updated figures from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Net changes domestically for the week included a three-rig increase in oil-directed drilling. However, declines of one natural gas-directed rig and three miscellaneous units drove the overall domestic tally lower, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus. The 763 active U.S. rig count as of Friday is up from 501 rigs active in the year-earlier period.

Land drilling declined by four rigs for the week, partially offset by a two-rig increase in the Gulf of Mexico and the addition of one rig operating in inland...