The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased 0.7% from 1,763 to 1,775 for the week ending December 6, 2013, climbing to the highest count since August 30, 2013.  Despite the increase, the count is some 1.4% 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 climbed over 4.4% for the second consecutive week, up from 385 to 402 this week, reaching a one-month high.  Despite the climb, the count is slightly under the year-ago level of 406.

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.