The U.S. natural gas rig count remained unchanged at 97 during the week ended Friday (Aug. 27), while the oil patch kept its growth trend intact, according to the updated figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count August 27

The overall U.S. count rose five units to 508 for the week, with oil rigs added on land accounting for the entirety of the net change. Gulf of Mexico activity was unchanged at 14 rigs. The combined 508 U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 254 rigs running at this time a year ago, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

The number of U.S. oil rigs has been on a steady uptrend coming off of last year’s Covid-induced lows. Just over 50 oil rigs have joined the patch domestically since June, BKR data show.

U.S. horizontal rigs increased by...