The United States gained three drilling rigs for the week ending Friday (Aug. 6), all working in the Lower 48, according to Baker Hughes Co. (BKR). 

shale rig count August 6

There were 491 active rigs total in the U.S. onshore and Gulf of Mexico (GOM), compared with 247 for the same period of 2020. The weekly rig tally is compiled by BKR with data from Enverus.

According to BKR, the United States raised two oil rigs and one miscellaneous rig in the onshore. There were 387 oil rigs working, versus 176 a year ago. The domestic natural gas rig count was static for the week at 103, versus 69 a year ago. The GOM rig count also was flat at 14.

The United States had 449 horizontal rigs in operation, up by seven from a week earlier and from 211 a year ago. There also were 27 directional rigs working, down by...