Western Canada’s fleet of active drilling rigs increased by 10 this week to a total of 341, according to data gathered by Baker Hughes, as drillers have stayed relatively busy this season.
Of the active rigs, 206 are drilling for oil; 135 for gas. Alberta saw a slight increase to 234 active rigs (up from 232). Saskatchewan and BC also saw modest increases.
Counts are substantially higher than one year ago this time. Only 175 rigs were drilling last February–the least busy February in decades.
United States rig counts are also climbing–however much steadier as most states don’t have to cobble with spring breakup. Current count in the US is at 754.