The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States increased for the third consecutive week, up 0.4% from 1,775 to 1,782 for the week ending December 13, 2013 and reaching the highest count since August 16, 2013.  The count is a mere 0.9% below the year-ago level of 1,799.

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 jumped 6.0% from 402 to 426 this week, climbing for the third consecutive week and reaching the highest count since March 15, 2013.  The count is now 1.9% above the year-ago level of 418.

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.