The total number of active U.S. natural gas-directed rigs eased one unit lower to 119 for the week ended Friday (Mar. 1), while an increase in oil drilling helped lift the overall domestic rig count three units higher to 629, according to updated numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

The 119 U.S. natural gas rigs as of Friday compares with 154 running in the year-earlier period. The combined U.S. count ended the week down 120 rigs from year-earlier activity levels, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

Oil-directed drilling increased by three rigs domestically, with one miscellaneous rig also added for the period. Land drilling increased by two rigs overall, with one rig added in the Gulf of Mexico. Gains in the United States included two...