The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States rose 0.2% from 1,738 to 1,742 for the week ending November 1, 2013, climbing slightly from last week’s seven-month low.  The count is also some 3.2% below the year-ago level of 1,800.

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 2.5% from 404 to 394 this week.  Despite the decrease, the count is still 2.9% above the year-ago level of 383.

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.