The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell by 26 to 1,800 for the week ending November 2, 2012, down 1.4% from the previous week and down some 11.2% from a year-ago.

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 rose 3.5% to 383 from 370 last week, but was 19.5% below the year-ago level.

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.