The combined oil and natural gas rig count in the U.S. continued to increase during the nine-day period ended Dec. 1, rising by six since Nov. 22 to a total of 929, according to Baker Hughes Inc's latest North America Rotary Rig Count. The total was up 332 rigs from the corresponding week a year earlier.

Natural gas-directed rigs increased four rigs on the week and were up 61 rigs on year. Oil-directed rigs increased two on the week at 749, which was up 272 from the same week in 2016.

During the nine-day period ended Dec. 1, the North American rig count advanced 13 on the week and 354 on the year to a total of 1,151. Canadian rigs rose seven on the week and 22 on the year to a total of 222.
U.S. land rigs were up eight to a total of 908, which was up 334 from the same week in 2016. Inland water rigs were unchanged on the week and year at a total of one. Offshore rigs eased two on the week and declined two on the yearly period to a total of 20.
By trajectory, vertical rigs were flat on the week and year at 66. Directional rigs also were flat on the week at 71, which is up 25 on the year. Horizontal rigs jumped six at 792, climbing 307 from the same week in 2016.

