Boosted by gains in the Haynesville and Marcellus shales, the U.S. rig count added one unit overall to finish at 255 for the week ending Friday (Sept. 18), according to the latest figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

The addition of two natural gas-directed rigs in the United States offset the departure of one oil-directed unit during the week. That left the combined U.S. total 613 rigs behind the 868 active units at the same time a year ago, BKR data show.

Land drilling increased by two rigs overall, while the Gulf of Mexico saw one rig depart during the week. Vertical units declined by two, while two directional units and one horizontal unit were added.

The Canadian rig count, meanwhile, jumped 12 units week/week to reach 64, versus 119 in the year-ago period. Changes for...