On the strength of gains in the oil patch, including in the Williston Basin, the U.S. rig count rose two units overall to finish the week ended Friday (Nov. 4) at 770, according to the latest tally from Baker Hughes Co. (BKR).

rigs

Net changes domestically included a three-rig increase in oil-directed drilling, partially offset by a decline of one natural gas-directed rig. Land drilling increased by two, while the Gulf of Mexico count was flat at 13. Total horizontal rigs increased by two, while vertical and directional drilling totals were unchanged week/week.

The 770 active U.S. rigs as of Friday compares with 550 rigs running in the year-earlier period, according to the BKR numbers, which are partly based on data from Enverus.

The Canadian rig count fell three units for the...