With activity climbing in Texas, the U.S. rig count surged nine units higher to 767 for the week ended Friday (July 29), according to the latest tally from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rigs

Oil-directed drilling increased by six rigs domestically, with two natural gas-directed rigs and one miscellaneous unit also added for the week. The combined 767 active U.S. rigs as of Friday represents a 279-rig year/year increase, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

Land drilling rose eight units for the period. Horizontal rigs increased by 10 in the United States, while one vertical rig was added. Partially offsetting was a two-rig decline in directional units. Offshore, the Gulf of Mexico picked up one rig to raise its total to...