Including activity increases in the Denver Julesburg-Niobrara and the Williston Basin, the U.S. rig count inched two units higher to 544 for the week ended Friday (Oct. 29), according to the latest figures from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

shale count Oct 29

Net increases of one oil-directed rig and one natural gas-directed rig for the period left the combined U.S. count up 248 rigs year/year for the period. Two units were added on land, while the Gulf of Mexico count held flat at 13, according to the BKR numbers, which are based partly on data from Enverus.

The Canadian rig count climbed two units to finish the week at 166, nearly double the 86 rigs running in the year-earlier period. Changes there included a net increase of five oil-directed rigs, partially offset by a three-rig decline in natural...