The U.S. rig count rose three units to 579 during the week ended Friday (Dec. 17), including upticks in activity in the Permian Basin and the Haynesville Shale, according to the latest tally from oilfield services provider Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

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Four oil-directed rigs were added for the week in the United States, partially offset by a one-rig decline in natural gas-directed rigs. Three rigs were added on land and one in the Gulf of Mexico, with one rig exiting from inland waters. 

The combined U.S. count finished the week 233 rigs ahead of its year-earlier tally of 346, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

The Canadian rig count, meanwhile, tumbled 10 units week/week to end at 167, still outpacing its year-ago total by 65 units. Changes...