The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States decreased 0.8% to 1,776 for the week ending August 23, 2013, falling from 1,791 last week, which was the highest count since December 14, 2012.  The count is also some 6.4% below the year-ago level of 1,898.

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 climbed 7.0% to 383 this week, maintaining the highest count since March 22, 2013.  The count is also some 14.7% above the year-ago level of 334.

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.