The U.S. natural gas rig count rose one unit to 84 for the period ending Friday (Jan. 8), while gains in the oil patch saw the overall domestic drilling tally surge higher, according to the latest weekly numbers published Friday by oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

In the United States, drillers added eight oil-directed rigs to help lift the overall U.S. count to 360, down 421 rigs from the 781 rigs active a year ago, according to the BKR numbers, which are based on data provided in part by Enverus.

Land drilling increased by nine rigs week/week, while the Gulf of Mexico held steady at 17 rigs, down from 21 a year ago. Horizontal units increased by seven, while one directional unit and one vertical unit were also added.

The Canadian rig count surged 58 units...