The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased by ten rigs to 1764 for the week ending May 3, 2013, up 0.6% from last week’s count of 1,754, but still some 10.2% below the year-ago level of 1,965.

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 fell for the tenth consecutive week, declining 0.8% from 122 to 121 and remaining at the lowest count since May 11, 2012.  The rig count is also down 7.6% from the year-ago level of 131.

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.