The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose 0.2% to 1,984 for the week ending June 8, 2012, climbing close to last month’s peak of 1,986.  The rig count is also up 7.0% from the year-ago level of 1,855.

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 increased 47.4% this week, jumping from 156 last week to 230 this week.  Despite the increase, the rig count is down 0.9% from the year-ago level of 232.

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.