Natural gas drilling activity held steady for the week ended last Friday (Nov. 10), while an easing oil count saw rigs slide overall in the United States for the period, according to recently updated figures published by Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Total domestic natural gas rigs ended the week at 118, unchanged from a week earlier but down from 155 a year ago. Including a two-rig decrease in the oil patch, the combined U.S. rig count fell to 616, versus 779 in the year-earlier period, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

Land drilling increased by one rig domestically, offset by declines of two offshore rigs and one inland waters rig. The Gulf of Mexico ended the period at 17 rigs, versus 16 a year ago. Declines for the period also included...