With a host of small adjustments to activity levels across a number of onshore plays, the combined U.S. natural gas and oil rig count eased one unit lower to finish at 631 for the week ended Friday (Sept. 1), according to the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Oil-directed drilling was unchanged for the period domestically, while total U.S. natural gas-directed rigs dropped one to 114. Land drilling decreased by two rigs overall, partially offset by the addition of one offshore rig. Horizontal rigs and vertical rigs each declined by one, while one directional rig was added for the period.

The combined 631 active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 760 rigs running at this time a year ago, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on Enverus data.

The...