The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. rose by three in the past week to 474, according to oil-field services company Baker Hughes Inc. The U.S. oil-rig count is typically viewed as a proxy for activity in the sector. After peaking at 1,609 in October 2014, low oil prices put downward pressure on production and the rig count fell sharply. The oil-rig count generally has been rising since the beginning of summer. The nation’s gas-rig count rose by two to 118 in the past week, according to Baker Hughes. The U.S. offshore-rig count is unchanged from last week at 23, which is seven fewer than a year ago. Oil prices were about flat at $48.01 a barrel in afternoon trading Wednesday. General Electric Co. reached a deal in October to combine its oil-and-gas business with Baker Hughes, creating a publicly traded energy powerhouse that would give […]