The U.S. natural gas rig count surged seven rigs to 103 during the week ended Friday (May 7), overshadowing gains in the oil patch and helping to power continued growth in overall domestic drilling activity, according to data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count May 7

Two oil-directed rigs were added in the United States for the period, while one miscellaneous unit exited the patch. The combined U.S. tally climbed eight units to finish the week at 448, up from 374 rigs active in the year-ago period, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

Land drilling increased by eight units domestically, while the Gulf of Mexico count went unchanged week/week at 13. Ten horizontal rigs were added overall, offsetting a two-rig decline in vertical drilling.

In Canada,...