The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell 1.4% to 1,945 for the week ending April 27, 2012, the lowest count since August 5, 2011.  Despite the fall, the rig count is still up 7.0% from the year-ago level.

The highest weekly rig count in the United States since 1940 was recorded on December 28, 1981, at 4,530; the lowest was recorded on April 23, 1999, at 488.

The number of rigs in Canada decreased 8.2% this week to 134 from 146 last week, marking the twelfth consecutive drop.  The rig count was one rig higher than last year however.

The highest rig count for Canada was 727 on February 3, 2006; the lowest was 29, recorded on April 24, 1992.

Source: Baker Hughes Inc.