The U.S. natural gas rig count fell five units to finish at 97 for the week ended Friday (Aug. 20), but a surge in oil-directed drilling drove an overall net gain in domestic drilling activity, according to the latest figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count august 20

Eight oil-directed rigs were added in the United States for the period to offset the decline in natural gas activity. The 503 combined active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 254 rigs running in the year-ago period, according to the BKR figures, which are based in part on data from Enverus.

Domestic land drilling increased by one rig overall, with one additional rig each also deployed in the Gulf of Mexico and in inland waters. Three directional rigs and two vertical rigs were added overall, partially offset by a net decline...