The U.S. natural gas rig count rose two units to 73 for the week ending Friday (Nov. 13), while strength in the oil patch drove a double-digit increase in domestic drilling overall, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Already on the ascent, the U.S. rig count’s trajectory bent further upward for the week as 10 oil rigs were added. The United States ended the week with 312 rigs overall, well shy of its year-ago total of 806. 

Still, the domestic count has risen steadily over the past two months, clawing its way back from a recent low of 254 rigs for the week ending Sept. 11, according to the BKR numbers, which are based on data provided in part by Enverus Drillinginfo.

Land drilling rose by 11 units during the period, while one rig was added in the Gulf...