The U.S. natural gas rig count rose two units to 81 during the week ended Friday (Dec. 18), while the Permian Basin led in another strong week for the domestic oil patch, according to the latest figures published by oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Alongside the natural gas rigs, the United States added five oil-directed rigs and one miscellaneous unit, lifting the overall U.S. count to 346 for the week, according to the BKR numbers, which are based on data provided in part by Enverus Drillinginfo. 

While the recent trend in domestic drilling activity has been decidedly upward, the combined U.S. count as of Friday still lagged its year-ago total of 813 by more than 450 rigs.

Land drilling increased by five week/week, while the Gulf of Mexico added three rigs...