The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. rose by nine to 747 this week. The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. rose by nine to 747 this week, Baker Hughes, a GE company, reported. 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 has generally been rising over the past year. The nation’s gas-rig count fell by one to 176 in the past week, according to Baker Hughes. The U.S. offshore-rig count is up by one from last week to 22, which is one fewer than a year ago. Oil prices were up 1.7% at $57.78 a barrel in afternoon trading Friday. Write to Austen Hufford at [email protected]