With gains on land offsetting a pullback in Gulf of Mexico activity, the U.S. rig count added two units to finish the week ended Friday (April 9) at 432, according to the latest figures published by oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

April 9 shale rig count

Two natural gas-directed rigs were added during the week in the United States, while oil-directed rigs remained unchanged overall at 337. The combined 432 domestic rigs compares with 602 rigs active in the year-ago period, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data provided by Enverus.

Land drilling increased by five rigs week/week, while the Gulf of Mexico posted a net decline of three rigs. Horizontal rigs increased by three overall, while directional rigs saw a net decline of one unit week/week.

The Canadian...