After declining for 3 straight weeks, the number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose to 1,930 for the week ending August 3, 2012, up 0.3%  from the prior week and up a scant 0.5% from the year-ago level.

The highest weekly rig count in theUnited Statessince 1940 was recorded on December 28, 1981, at 4,530; the lowest was recorded on April 23, 1999, at 488.

After 5 straight weeks of increases, the number of rigs in Canada fell this week by 10.36%  to 303 compared with 338 last week and down 30.18% from the year-ago level.

The highest rig count forCanadawas 727 on February 3, 2006; the lowest was 29, recorded on April 24, 1992.

Source: Baker Hughes Inc.