Amid a slowdown in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), the U.S. natural gas rig count fell one unit to 158 for the week ended Friday (Oct. 7), according to the latest figures from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Declines in the United States also included two oil-directed rigs, with the combined U.S. count down three rigs to 762. 

One rig was added on land, while a three-rig decline in the GOM and a one-rig decline in inland waters sent the overall domestic tally lower week/week. Five directional units exited the patch domestically, partially offset by a two-rig increase in horizontal drilling.

The 762 active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 533 rigs running in the year-earlier period, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from...