Bolstered by increased oil drilling, particularly in the Permian Basin, the U.S. rig count climbed for a sixth straight week during the period ended Friday (Oct. 23), picking up five units to reach 287, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

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A six-rig increase in domestic oil drilling offset a one-rig decline in natural gas-directed units, leaving the overall domestic tally lagging year-ago levels by 543 units. The domestic tally has now risen more than 30 units from a recent low of 254 recorded for the week ending Sept. 11, BKR data show.

Land drilling increased by six units in the United States, while the Gulf of Mexico saw one rig exit to fall to 13 for the week. Horizontal units increased by five, while the total number of directional and vertical rigs...