The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States dropped 0.4% to 1,989 for the week ending February 10, 2012, but was still up 15.6% compared to 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 this week decreased 0.2% from 710 last week to 709, but was 12.5% higher than year-ago levels.

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.