The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose for the second straight week – climbing by 11 to 1,764 for the week ending February 1, 2013 – up 0.6% from last week and 0.9% from the nearly 2-year low 3 weeks ago, but down 11.7% from last year.

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 showed a rise of 0.6% to 625 from 621 last week but was still down 12.0% from last year.

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.