The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell to 1,759 for the week ending June 21, 2013, a 0.7% decline from last week’s 1,771 and is some 10.5% below the year-ago level of 1,966.

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 increased for the sixth consecutive week, climbing 11.9% from 176 to 197 this week, and reaching an 11-week high.  Despite the increase, the count is still 17.2% below the year-ago level of 238.

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.