The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased 0.7% from 1,744 to 1,756 for the week ending October 4, 2013, climbing from last week’s six-month low.  Despite the increase, the count is still some 4.4% below the year-ago level of 1,837.

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 dropped 7.4% from 390 to 361 this week, the largest decrease since April 19. 2013.  The count is also some 3.0% below the year-ago level of 372.

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.