The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose to 1,771 for the week ending May 31, 2013, up 0.5% from last week’s count of 1,762 but 10.6% below the year-ago level of 1,980.

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 10.7% to 145, some 22.9% above the three-year low of 118.  Despite the climb, rigs are down 7.1% compared to last year’s count of 156.

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.