The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States decreased 0.1% from 1,771 last week to 1,769 for the week ending February 28, 2014.  The count is some 0.7% above the year-ago level of 1,757.

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 0.1% from 632 last week to 626 this week, halting an eight-week, 140.3% increase that started at the beginning of the year.  The count is some 4.4% below the year-ago level of 655.

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.