The U.S. natural gas rig rose three units to 154 for the week ended Friday (March 3), though a third straight weekly decline in oil activity dropped the overall domestic tally four units to 749, according to updated numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Net changes domestically for the period included an eight-rig decline in oil-directed rigs. In the week-earlier period, U.S. oil rigs declined by seven rigs, with a more modest two-rig decline recorded the week before that.

Helping to counter the losses in the oil patch, one miscellaneous rig was also added alongside the three natural gas-directed rigs. Land drilling declined by two units overall, alongside one-rig declines in the Gulf of Mexico and in inland waters. Horizontal rigs declined by three, with vertical rigs down two....