HOUSTON, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. rig count dropped three this week while West Texas' surging Permian Basin continues to add new drilling activity, according to weekly data collected by Baker Hughes released on Friday.

Houston oilfield services company Baker Hughes reported that the total rig count declined by three rigs, five fewer oil rigs but two new rigs actively seeking natural gas. Last week, the rig count had its largest jump in eight months with 10 new oil rigs and five additional rigs drilling for gas.

The Permian Basin added six oil-seeking rigs this week, although drilling activity dipped in Texas outside of the Permian. Overall, Texas saw a net gain of one rig.

The U.S. rig count is now down to 936 rigs, down from a 2017 high of 958 rigs in July. The total U.S. rig count is up from an all-time low of 404 rigs in May 2016, according to Baker Hughes.

West Texas' Permian Basin now accounts for 409 oil rigs, which is more than half of all the nation's oil rigs.

Oil was selling above 63 U.S. dollars a barrel in early Friday afternoon trading in New York.