The Permian Basin was the focal point of U.S. onshore drilling activity during the week ended Friday (Nov. 19), spurring a seven-rig increase in the combined domestic count, which finished at 563, according to the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

shale rig count nov 19

All of the net gains for the week in the United States occurred in the oil patch; the U.S. natural gas rig count finished flat at 102. The Gulf of Mexico tally was also unchanged for the week at 15, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

The United States finished the week with roughly 250 more active rigs than the 310 units running in the year-earlier period.

Seven horizontal rigs were added domestically, while directional and vertical rig totals were unchanged.

The Canadian rig...