Driven by oil-directed drilling growth, including in the Permian Basin, the U.S. rig count rose four units to 763 during the week ended Friday (Sept. 16), according to the latest data from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

An eight-rig increase in oil-directed drilling in the United States for the week was partially offset by a four-rig decline in natural gas-directed rigs. The 763 active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 512 rigs running at this time last year, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

Land drilling increased by three rigs overall, while one rig was added in the Gulf of Mexico, raising the total there to 14. Directional drilling increased by two rigs domestically, while horizontal drilling increased by three...