Here comes the Baker Hughes rig count …

Oilfield-services company Baker Hughes will release its weekly numbers on US oil and gas rigs at the top of the hour.

Last week, the oil rig count fell for the first time in four months, by two to 441. The rebound during those months was small compared to the plunge after the oil crash, as producers cut costs.

Hopes of a recovery, or at least a stabilization of prices in the $40-$50 per barrel range, raised demand for drillers’ services.

Last week, miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at two, while the gas rig count rose six to 114, taking the total up four to 557.

More to come …