The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States decreased 0.5% from 1,776 to 1,767 for the week ending September 9, 2013, falling to a two-month low.  The count is also some 5.2% below the year-ago level of 1,864.

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 decreased for the first time in sixteen weeks, falling 2.5% from 399 to 389 this week.  Despite the decrease, the count is still some 12.8% above the year-ago level of 345.

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.