The U.S. natural gas rig count went unchanged at 102 during the week ended Friday (Dec. 3), while the oil count also remained steady at 467 to leave the overall domestic tally even for the period at 569, according to the latest figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

The combined 569 active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with a count of 323 at this time a year ago. Land drilling increased by two units overall, offsetting a two-rig decline in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the BKR numbers, which are based in part on data from Enverus.

Vertical rigs increased by three in the United States for the period, offset by a three-rig decrease in directional rigs.

The Canadian rig count climbed nine units to finish the week at 180, up from 102 in the year-earlier period. Gains included...