Despite a pullback in the natural gas patch, gains in oil-directed drilling lifted the U.S. rig count five units higher to 453 for the week ended Friday (May 14), according to updated figures from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).
Eight oil-directed rigs were added in the United States for the week, which was partially offset by a three-rig decrease in natural gas rigs. The combined 453 rigs running as of Friday compares with 339 rigs active at this time last year.
Land drilling increased by three overall for the week, while the Gulf of Mexico saw a net increase of two rigs. Five directional rigs and two horizontal rigs were added, offsetting a decline of two vertical units, according to BKR.
In Canada, three oil-directed rigs and one natural gas-directed...