The U.S. natural gas rig count fell one unit to 97, while the oil-directed rig count remained unchanged, leaving the overall domestic drilling total essentially flat for the week ended Friday (June 4), according to updated figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count June 4

The United States had a combined 456 active rigs as of Friday, up from 284 rigs running in the year-ago period, according to the BKR figures, which are based in part on data from Enverus.

The Gulf of Mexico saw a net decrease of one rig to fall to 13 for the week, in line with year-ago levels. Directional rigs declined by two overall, while vertical rigs increased by one.

The Canadian rig count, meanwhile, surged 15 units higher to end the week at 77, more than triple the 21 rigs running there at this time last year. All...