The U.S. natural gas rig count went unchanged at 92 during the week ended Friday (March 26), while another round of gains in the oil patch drove continued growth in overall domestic drilling activity, according to data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

US rig count March 26

After adding nine rigs in the previous week, the U.S. oil patch picked up an additional six rigs for the most recent week to finish at 324. The combined U.S. count rose to 417 rigs for the period, versus 728 rigs active at this time last year, according to the BKR figures, which are based in part on data provided by Enverus.

Seven rigs were added on land in the United States, while one rig departed in the Gulf of Mexico. Eight horizontal units were added, along with one directional unit, offsetting a net decline of three vertical...