The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose for the third straight week, increasing by 8 to 1,817 for the week ending November 21, 2012 – up 0.4% from the previous week but still down some 9.2% 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 0.8% to 387 from 384 last week, but was 20.0% 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.