The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose for the second straight week to 1,931 for the week ending August 10, 2012, up 0.1% from the prior week but down 1.4% 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 fell again this week by 1.3% to 299 compared with 303 last week and down 35.6% from the year-ago level.

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

Source: Baker Hughes Inc.