The U.S. natural gas rig count climbed one unit to finish at 74 for the week ending Friday (Oct. 16), while a surge in oil activity saw the overall domestic drilling tally rise by double digits, the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR) show.

rig count Oct. 16

Driven by a 12-rig increase in oil-directed rigs, the combined U.S. count rose 13 week/week to end at 282. The U.S. patch finished the period 569 units shy of the 851 rigs running at this time last year. 

All of the gains occurred on land, with the Gulf of Mexico count flat week/week at 14. Seven horizontal units and six vertical units were added, with the total number of directional rigs unchanged, according to BKR.

The Canadian rig count ended the week flat at 80, with the addition of one oil-directed rig offsetting the departure...