This week’s Baker Hughes report shows an 11-rig increase in the United States oil count, marking 17 straight weeks of no-decline in the active rig figure. The streak suggests a strong recovery for the U.S. drilling sector, which was hit hard when oil prices dropped for the first time two years ago due to a global supply glut. The last time the Houston-based oilfield services company reported an oil-rig count this high was in its February 5th report, meaning the figure has reached an eight-month record. Still, the oil rig count sits 151 rigs below the 594-rig figure reported during the same period last year. (Click to enlarge) Image courtesy: Zerohedge.com “Apparently $45/50 oil is high enough for shale producers to come storming back in,” Zero Hedge said. The gas count saw a three-rig increase to 108 rigs, but is still 85 rigs lower than the count last year. Texas’ rigs increased in number by 10 sites, after losing 3 in last week’s report. Wyoming gained three, while Alaska and Utah saw a one-rig jump. The Permian and Eagle Ford basins saw a combined increase of 13-sites, after losing six rigs last week. Mississippian and Haynesville gained one rig each, and the DJ-Niobrara site lost one, becoming the only basin to lose a rig this week. West Texas Intermediate traded flat at $50.63 after the count was released, and Brent traded up 0.41 percent at $51.59 at the time of the report’s writing. Zainab Calcuttawala for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Oil Prices Cool Down Amid Tanking U.S. Crude Imports Why Oil Could Head Back To $90 Sooner Than Thought Only Sentiment Matters: Why Oil Prices Are Heading Up Until November