The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose by 4 to 1,839 for the week ending October 19, 2012, up 0.2% from the previous week but down some 8.6% from a year-ago.

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 1.6% to 355 from 361 last week, and was 28.6% below the year-ago level.

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.