The number of active oil and natural gas rigs in the United States fell for the eighth straight week – declining by 12 to a 22-month low of 1,749 for the week ending January 18, 2013 – down 0.7% from last week and 12.9% from a year ago.

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 showed jump of 13.2% to 601 from 531 last week but was still down 8.1% from last year.

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.