The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell for the sixth straight week – declining by 1 to a 22-month low of 1,762 for the week ending January 4, 2013 – down 0.1% from last week and 12.2% 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 showed its usual first week jump – climbing 26.5% to 258 from 204 last week, and some 28.5% 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.