The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased for the second consecutive week, rising 0.3% to 1,769 for the week ending May 10, 2013.  While the number of rigs is up from 1,754 last week, it is still 10.4% below the year-ago level of 1,974.

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 eleventh consecutive week, down 2.5% from 121 to 118, the lowest count since May 7, 2010.  The rig count is also down 1.7% from the year-ago level of 120.

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.