The U.S. natural gas rig count fell one unit to finish at 73 for the week ended Friday (Oct. 23), while rising oil activity propelled the overall domestic tally to its sixth straight weekly gain, according to the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

oil gas rig count

A six-rig increase in domestic oil drilling offset the one-rig decline in natural gas-directed units, raising the overall count by five week/week to 287. That figure still lags year-ago levels by 543 units. The domestic tally has now risen more than 30 units from a recent low of 254 recorded for the week ending Sept. 11, BKR data show.

Land drilling increased by six units in the United States, while the Gulf of Mexico saw one rig exit to fall to 13 for the week. Horizontal units increased by five, while the total number of...