The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. rose by four in the past week to 529, oil-field services company Baker Hughes Inc. said Friday 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 receded. However, the count has generally been climbing in recent months. The nation’s gas-rig count rose by three to 135 in the past week, according to Baker Hughes. The total U.S. rig count is up one from last year’s count of 664, with oil rigs up 13, gas rigs down 13, and miscellaneous rigs up 1. The U.S. offshore-rig count rose by one from last week to 24, which is three fewer than a year ago. On Friday, oil prices flipped between gains and losses as investors weighed […]