Rigs targeting oil and natural gas in the U.S. increased this week, tying a 20-month high, as energy producers used a record number of horizontally drilling ones to reach deposits trapped in shale formations across the middle of the country. The oil and gas rig counts grew by three each, bringing the total to 1,861, matching the high set on April 25, data posted on Baker Hughes Inc. (BHI) ’s website show. Rigs drilling horizontally to bore across formations gained five to reach a record 1,248, the Houston-based field services company said. Energy producers are using more efficient drilling techniques to draw record volumes of oil and gas out of from U.S. shale formations, boosting domestic crude production to the highest level in a quarter-century and bringing the nation closer to energy independence than it has been in 28 years. Horizontal rigs in tight-oil plays surged in the first […]