The U.S. natural gas rig count dropped two units to 75 for the week ending Friday (Dec. 4), while another week of growth in the oil patch lifted the overall domestic count higher, according to the latest figures published by oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

baker hughes dec. 4

The United States saw a net increase of five oil-directed rigs for the week, offsetting the decline in natural gas-directed activity. The combined U.S. tally ended the period at 323, nearly 500 rigs shy of the 799 active units in the year-ago period, according to the BKR numbers, which are based on data provided in part by Enverus Drillinginfo.

Over the past three months, the U.S. count has risen by nearly 70 rigs, and oil-directed drilling has accounted for nearly all of that increase. The natural gas rig...