In Western Canada this week, the gas-directed rig count rose by four to 58 rigs, while the oil-directed rig count gained five to 119 rigs. The gas-directed rig count is 11 higher than at this time last year, and two higher than prior five-year high for this time of year (see left chart below), while the oil-directed rig count is 28 rigs higher than at this time last year, and 16 higher than the prior five-year high for this time of year (see right chart below).
The four rigs added to the gas-directed rig count were all added in the Alberta Foothills Front region, which is seeing an earlier than typical recovery from spring break-up season.
The five-rig increase to the oil-directed rig count came from Saskatchewan (+5). In Alberta, the Northeast Alberta and Central Alberta regions both added a rig, while the East Central Alberta region dropped two rigs.
