Already on the ascent, the U.S. rig count’s trajectory bent further upward for the week ended Friday (Nov. 13), as strength in oil-directed drilling lifted the overall domestic tally 12 units to 312, according to the latest data from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

Gains for the week included 10 oil rigs and two natural gas-directed units. The U.S. count ended the week nearly 500 units shy of its year-ago total of 806. The domestic count has risen steadily over the past two months, clawing its way back from a recent low of 254 rigs for the week ending Sept. 11, according to the BKR numbers, which are based on data provided in part by Enverus Drillinginfo.

Land drilling rose by 11 units during the period, while one rig was added in the Gulf of Mexico. Eight horizontal units and four...