The U.S. natural gas rig count climbed four units to 92 for the week ending Friday (Feb. 5), matching gains in the oil patch as overall domestic drilling activity continued its upward climb for the period, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rig count

The United States saw a net increase of four oil-directed rigs the week, helping grow the overall domestic count to 392, roughly 400 units shy of the 790 rigs active at this time a year ago, according to the BKR numbers, which are based in part on data provided by Enverus.

Land drilling increased by 10 units in the United States, while two rigs exited from inland waters. The Gulf of Mexico remained unchanged at 16 rigs, down from 23 a year ago. Horizontal rigs increased by 10, offsetting a net decline of two vertical...