The U.S. natural gas rig count finished unchanged at 92 for the week ending Friday (March 5), while gains in the Permian Basin offset declines in the Gulf of Mexico to push the overall domestic count slightly higher, according to the latest figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count march 5

Including a net increase of one oil-directed rig, the combined U.S. rig count climbed one unit to reach 403 for the week. The 403 active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 793 rigs running in the year-ago period, according to the BKR numbers, which are based in part on data provided by Enverus.

Four rigs were added on land during the week, offsetting a decline of three rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, which saw its total fall to 14, versus 23 a year ago. Horizontal rigs increased by three, while directional...