The U.S. natural gas rig count finished unchanged at 69 for the week ended Friday (Aug. 7), while yet another round of losses in the oil patch saw the combined domestic tally grind lower, according to the latest numbers from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

The overall U.S. rig count dropped four units — all oil-directed — to finish the week at 247. That left the combined U.S. tally nearly 700 units behind the 934 rigs active at this time last year.

All of the losses recorded for the week occurred on land; Gulf of Mexico activity remained unchanged at 12 rigs overall. Five horizontal units and one vertical unit exited on the week, partially offset by the addition of two directional units, according to BKR.

The Canadian rig count climbed two units week/week to finish at 47 overall....