(Reuters) – The U.S. oil rig count fell for a third week in a row, extending a two-month drilling decline, although producers have sharply ramped up bets against a fall in oil prices, which could spur another investment surge. The oil rig count fell seven to 736 in the week to Oct. 20, the lowest level since June, General Electric Co’s Baker Hughes energy services firm said in its closely followed report on Friday. The rig count, an early indicator of future output, is still much higher than a year ago when only 443 rigs were active after energy companies boosted spending plans as crude recovered from a two-year price crash. The recovery in drilling, however, lasted for 14 months before stalling in August and September after producers trimmed spending plans due to softer prices. U.S. crude futures have averaged over $49 a barrel so far in 2017, easily […]