The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased for the fifth consecutive week, up 0.3% from last week’s 1,776 to 1,782 for the week ending August 2, 2013, becoming the highest level since December 14, 2012.  Despite the increase, the count is some 7.7% below the year-ago level of 1,930.

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 climbed for the twelfth consecutive week, up 3.7% from 329 to 341 this week and remaining at the highest count since March 22, 2013.  The count is also some 12.5% above the year-ago level of 303.

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.