The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased 0.9 % from 1,792 last week to 1,809 for the week ending March 14, 2014, reaching the highest count since November 30, 2012.  The count is some 1.9% above the year-ago level of 1,776.

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 for the third consecutive week, down 11.1% from 587 last week to 522 this week, dropping to a two-month low.  Despite the fall, the count is some 16.7% above the year-ago level of 503.

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.