The U.S. natural gas rig count climbed five units to 135 for the week ended Friday (March 11), while big gains in Texas drove a double-digit increase in the overall domestic tally, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

Including the natural gas drilling gains and an eight-rig increase in oil-directed drilling, the combined U.S. rig count surged 13 units higher to 663 for the week, up 261 year/year. U.S. land rigs increased by 14, partially offset by a one-rig decline in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the BKR numbers, which are based in part on data from Enverus.

Horizontal rigs increased by 12 week/week, while directional rigs increased by three. Partially offsetting was a two-rig decrease in vertical rigs.

The Canadian rig count, meanwhile, fell 11...