The number of active drilling rigs in the United States increased by four to 1,067 this week, or 154 more than that the corresponding period last year, showed weekly data released by Baker Hughes on Friday.

The Houston-based oilfield services company reported that the U.S. state of Texas led the gain with increasing by eight to 540 rigs, while Alaska and New Mexico decreased the most by two to three and 100 respectively.

The number of rigs operating in U.S. oil fields gained four to a total of 873 rigs this week, and more than half of the oil rigs were located in the Permian Basin region of western Texas and southeastern New Mexico.

The number of rigs drilling for gas increased by one to 194 this week. The count of miscellaneous fell by one to zero.

Oil prices rallied on Friday as a weaker U.S. dollar made the dollar-priced commodity more attractive for holders of other currencies.

The West Texas Intermediate for November delivery rose 0.47 U.S. dollar to settle at 69.12 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude for December delivery added 0.49 dollar to 79.78 dollars a barrel on the London ICE Futures Exchange.