The number of rigs drilling for oil in the U.S. rose by 12 in the past week to a total of 510, according to oil-field services company Baker Hughes Inc. The U.S. oil-rig count is typically viewed as a proxy for activity in the oil sector. After peaking at 1,609 in October 2014, low oil prices had put downward pressure on production and the rig count receded. The count has generally been rising since this past summer, however this week’s pickup breaks from the typically more moderate increase. The nation’s gas-rig count rose by one to 126 in the past week, according to Baker Hughes. And the U.S. offshore-rig count is unchanged from a week ago at 22, which is two fewer than a year ago. On Friday, oil prices rose amid signals that major oil producers will stick to their agreement to cut production next year. Oil prices […]