The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States decreased 0.7% from 1,756 to 1,743 for the week ending October 11, 2013, falling to the lowest count since April 5, 2013.  The count is also some 5.0% below the year-ago level of 1,835.

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 dropped for the second consecutive week, down 1.1% from 361 to 357 this week.  The count is also some 1.1% below the year-ago level of 361.

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.