Propelled by sizable gains in the Permian Basin and Haynesville Shale, the U.S. rig count surged eight units higher to reach 448 during the week ended Friday (May 7), according to data from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Seven natural gas-directed rigs and two oil-directed rigs were added in the United States for the period, offsetting a decline of one miscellaneous unit. The combined U.S. tally finished the week 74 units ahead of the 374 rigs active in the year-ago period, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

Land drilling increased by eight units domestically, while the Gulf of Mexico count went unchanged week/week at 13. Ten horizontal rigs were added overall, offsetting a two-rig decline in vertical drilling.

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