July 11, 2024

The historical monthly Canadian oil rig count (2012-2024 Q1) by province.

• Canadian oil drilling activity is primarily centered in Alberta and Saskatchewan and is heavily influenced by prevailing market conditions and prices.
• Alberta accounted for about 70% of the total annual average rig count vs 30% Saskatchewan.
• Alberta recorded an average of 187 active rigs in 2012 and the count decreased steadily to just 35 rigs in 2016. The average annual rig count has fluctuated between 30 and 80 in subsequent years to average about 70,  with the exception of the 2020 pandemic year where just 27 rigs were recorded.
• Saskatchewan has experienced a relatively stable oil rig count compared to Alberta. They averaged over 55 rigs from 2012-2015 before declining to an average of 30 rigs from 2016 through Q1 2024 (ranging from 24 to 36), excluding the 2020 pandemic year of just 17.

See Also:
Canadian Oil Production Forecast to 2035
Alberta Oil Production Forecast to 2040 (excl Oil Sands)
Canadian Oil Exports by Rail 2012-2023
Canadian East Coast Offshore Oil Production Forecast to 2030
Canadian Weighted Gross Revenue by Company 2022
Royalty Rate by Company 2022
Canadian Oil Rig Count by Trajectory 2012-2024
Clearwater Oil Production Forecast to 2040
Cardium Oil Production Forecast to 2040
Montney Oil Production Forecast to 2040
Alberta Central Oil Production Forecast to 2040
Alberta East Heavy Oil Production Forecast to 2040
Alberta North Oil Production Forecast to 2040
Alberta West Central Oil Production Forecast to 2040
Largest Canadian Publicly Traded Oil and NGL Producers in 2023
Western Canadian Oil and Gas Royalty Rates 2014-2023

References:
Baker Hughes North America Rig Count, 2024