The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell for the second week to 1,748 for the week ending June 28, 2013, decreasing 0.6% from last week’s 1,759 and is now some 10.8% below the year-ago level of 1,959.

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 to climb, increasing 4.6% from 197 to 206 this week, and nearing a three-month high.  Despite the increase, the count is still 21.1% below the year-ago level of 261.

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.