US Rig Count Climbs to 544 as Gas Rigs Surge

U.S. drilling activity increased last week as energy companies added seven rigs, bringing the total working rig count to 544, according to Baker Hughes’ latest survey for the week ended July 18. The overall tally is up from 537 a week earlier. The number of oil-directed rigs slipped by two to 422, while gas-directed rigs climbed by nine to 117, offsetting the oil decline and lifting the aggregate figure. Across key shale basins, the Permian lost two rigs to 261, Eagle Ford gained one to 35, and the Williston, Cana Woodford and DJ Niobrara plays were unchanged at 30, 17 and 8 rigs respectively.