An uptick in drilling activity in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) helped lift the U.S. rig count four units higher to 479 during the week ended Friday (July 9), according to updated numbers from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

shale rig count July 9

Drilling gains in the United States for the week were split evenly between natural gas-directed rigs (up two) and oil-directed units (also up two). The 479 combined active rigs as of Friday compares with 258 at this time last year, according to the BKR numbers, which are based in part on data from Enverus.

The GOM saw a three-rig increase for the week to reach 17 rigs overall, improving on its count of 12 from a year earlier. Two rigs were added on land in the United States, while one rig departed from inland waters. Horizontal units increased...