The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell for the second consecutive week, decreasing 0.2% from last week’s count of 1,758 to 1,754 for the week ending April 26, 2013.  The count is also 9.8% below the year-ago level of 1,945.

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 continued its downward trend, falling 3.2% from 126 to 122, which is the lowest count since May 11, 2012.  The rig count is also down 9.0% from the year-ago level of 134.

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.