The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased 0.5% to 1,818 for the week ending April 4, 2014, up from 1,809 last week and reaching the highest count since October 26, 2012.  The count is some 4.6% above the year-ago level of 1,738.

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 fell to a nine-month low of 235 this week, dropping 21.1% from 298 last week and decreasing 88.3% over the now-six-week downward spiral.  Despite the fall, the count is some 14.1% above the year-ago level of 206.

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.