The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, rose by three to 779 in the week to Dec. 22.
Baker Hughes released the report a day early due to the upcoming Christmas holiday weekend.
Baker Hughes said that puts the total rig count up 193 rigs, or 33%, over this time last year.
U.S. oil rigs rose by two to 622 this week, while gas rigs rose one to 155.
U.S. oil futures were up about 3% so far this year after soaring 55%
