Driven by gains in the oil patch, the U.S. rig count jumped seven units higher to 769 for the week ended Friday (Oct. 14), according to the latest tally from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Changes domestically included an eight-rig increase in oil-directed rigs, partially offset by a one-rig decline in natural gas-directed drilling. Six rigs were added on land in the United States, with one rig added in the Gulf of Mexico. Horizontal drilling increased by seven units, while directional and vertical drilling totals were unchanged for the week.

The 769 active U.S. rigs as of Friday are up from 543 rigs running in the year-earlier period, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

The Canadian rig count rose one unit to end the...