The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States remained at 1,769 for the week ending May 17, 2013, but was still 10.9% below the year-ago level of 1,986.

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 rose 4.2%, halting the eleven-week downslide and rising from the three-year low of 118 recorded last week.  The rig count is at the same level as a year ago.

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.