The U.S. natural gas rig count climbed two units to finish at 96 during the week ended Friday (April 30), while a decline in the Permian Basin saw the oil count ease lower, according to the latest tally from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count April 30

One miscellaneous unit joined the two natural gas units in returning to the patch in the United States. Those gains offset the departure of one oil-directed rig overall, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

The U.S. count ended the period at a combined 440 rigs, a 32-rig increase year/year, improving over a year-ago period impacted by the start of the Covid-19 pandemic response.

Total land rigs remained unchanged week/week in the United States, while the Gulf of Mexico added two rigs...