The combined oil and natural gas rig count in the United States continued to increase during the week ended Dec. 8, rising by two to a total of 931, according to Baker Hughes's latest North America Rotary Rig Count. The total count advanced 307 rigs from the corresponding week a year earlier.

Oil-directed rigs were up two on the week to a total of 751, which was up 253 from the same week in 2016. Natural gas-directed rigs were unchanged on the week at 180 but were up 55 rigs on the year.

The North American rig count was down one on the week but up 296 on the year to a total of 1,150. Canadian rigs dropped three on the week and lost 11 on the year to a total of 219.
During the week ended Dec. 8, U.S. land rigs increased one to a total of 931, which was up 307 from the corresponding year-ago period. Inland water rigs were up one on the week and the year to a total of two. Offshore rigs were steady on the week but down two to a total of 20.
By trajectory, vertical rigs eased two on the week and were down six on the year to 64. Directional rigs were flat on the week at 71, which was up 20 on the year. Horizontal rigs increased four to 796, advancing 293 from the same week in 2016.

