In Western Canada the gas-directed rig count was unchanged at 65 rigs, while the oil-directed rig count was up 1 to 147 rigs, for the week ended August 21, according to Baker Hughes data. The gas-directed rig count is 8 higher than at this time last year, and near the five-year average for this time of year (see left chart below), while the oil-directed rig count is 23 higher than at this time last year, and in line with the prior five-year high for this time of year set in 2024 (see right chart below).
The gas-directed rig count increased by 1 in Alberta and BC this week, and fell by 2 in Saskatchewan (see table below). The gas rig count in Alberta is in line with its prior five-year seasonal high, while the gas rig count in BC is 4 rigs below its prior five-year average for this time of year.
This week saw two oil rigs added in Saskatchewan, one oil rig added in Manitoba, and two oil rigs dropped in Alberta (see table below). The oil rig count in Alberta is 5 rigs above its prior five-year seasonal high while Saskatchewan's oil rig count is 3 rigs below its five-year seasonal average, with no oil rigs drilling in Southwest Saskatchewan.
