Figure 8. World regional rig counts (source: Baker-Hughes). Regional changes in drilling activity are shown in the chart comparing average rig counts for the first six months of 2001 with the first six months of 2000. The US rig count, responding to higher natural gas prices, increased by 47%; international rigs by 23%; and Canada, which already enjoyed robust drilling activity during the first-half of 2000, by 12%. Latin America activity, led by Brazil and Argentina, increased by 32%. African activity, led by Nigeria and Sudan, increased by 28%. Europe, led by France and the UK, increased by 19%. The Far East, led by India and Malaysia, increased by 16%; and the Middle East recorded the least increase at 10%.