The U.S. natural gas rig count fell to 117 for the week ended Friday (Jan. 12), down one rig for the period, while a drop in oil drilling saw the combined domestic tally fall two rigs to end at 619, according to the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Active U.S. natural gas rigs finished the period down 33 year/year. At 499, active U.S. oil-directed rigs were down two week/week and off 124 from year-earlier levels. One miscellaneous rig was added domestically for the period.

Land drilling declined by two rigs in the United States, while the Gulf of Mexico held steady at 18 rigs, in line with 19 running in the year-ago period. Domestic declines included three horizontal rigs and one vertical rig, partially offset by the addition of two directional units.

The...