Oct 18 (Reuters) - Baker Hughes Inc, the world's third-largest oilfield services company, posted a 22 percent increase in quarterly profit, driven by strong international drilling activity, particularly in the Middle East and Africa.

Net income rose to $341 million, or 77 cents per share in the third quarter, from $279 million, or 63 cents per share, a year earlier.

Revenue rose about 8 percent to $5.79 billion.