An uptick in natural gas-directed drilling activity, including in the Marcellus and Haynesville shales, lifted the combined U.S. rig count three units overall to 604 for the week ended Friday (Jan. 21), according to the latest tally from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

shale rigs

A four-rig increase in natural gas-directed drilling offset a one-rig decline in oil-directed drilling in the United States for the period. The combined U.S. count finished the week 226 units ahead of its year-ago tally of 378, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

Domestic land drilling increased by three units for the period, while the Gulf of Mexico count went unchanged at 18. Two directional rigs and three horizontal rigs were added, partially offset by a...