The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell to 1,914 for the week ending August 17, 2012, down 0.9% from the prior week and down 3.0% 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.

The number of rigs in Canada increased again this week by 9.0% to 326 compared with 299 last week, but was down 32.9% 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.