The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased 0.1% from 1,767 to 1,768 for the week ending September 13, 2013, climbing slightly from last week’s two-month low.  The count is also some 5.2% below the year-ago level of 1,864.

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 decreased 2.3% from 389 to 380 this week, falling for a second week after a sixteen-week climb.  Despite the decrease, the count is still some 7.3% above the year-ago level of 354.

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.