Bucking a recent trend of retrenchment, the U.S. natural gas rig count rebounded sharply during the week ended Friday (July 7), jumping 11 units higher to finish at 135, according to updated numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Oil drilling, meanwhile, declined by five rigs in the United States. The combined domestic tally rose six rigs week/week to end at 680, down from 752 at the comparable time a year ago, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

Four rigs were added on land for the period, with two added in inland waters. The Gulf of Mexico count rose one unit to finish at 19, up from 16 in the year-earlier period. Gains of five horizontal rigs and three directional rigs were countered by a two-rig decline in vertical drilling.

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