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Canadian drilling activity strengthened sharply this week as producers added rigs across both oil and natural gas, returning the national fleet to 216.
Canada’s active rig count increased by eight to 216 rigs for the week ended October 2, according to the latest Baker Hughes North America Rig Count Report.
That leaves Canada with 26 more rigs than the 190 operating during the comparable week last year, an increase of nearly 14%.
The weekly gain was evenly divided between oil and natural gas.
Oil rigs increased by four to 149, while natural gas rigs also gained four to reach 66. Miscellaneous rigs were unchanged at one.
Compared with a year ago, Canada has 20 more oil rigs and six more natural gas rigs operating.
The increase marks a significant turnaround from the volatility seen through September.
Canada’s rig count fell to 197 on September 18 before rebounding to 208 last week and 216 today. In just two weeks, 19 rigs have returned to the Canadian fleet.
That puts drilling activity back at the same 216-rig level recorded on August 21.
The rebound comes despite another volatile session for global crude.
WTI was trading around US$90.85 per barrel Friday, while Brent was approximately US$100.50. Crude prices fell after European countries agreed to release emergency fuel stocks as governments attempt to ease pressure on energy markets.
U.S. natural gas was trading around US$2.92 per MMBtu.
For Canadian producers, crude around US$90 still provides a relatively supportive backdrop for oil drilling across Western Canada, while the increase in gas rigs is notable given comparatively modest North American natural gas prices.
Western Canadian gas economics, however, are increasingly influenced by factors beyond Henry Hub.
LNG exports have created a new source of structural demand for Western Canadian production, adding another consideration alongside regional prices, pipeline capacity and traditional North American consumption.
The Baker Hughes numbers suggest producers continue to respond.
Canada now has 66 gas rigs operating, up 10% from 60 a year ago. Oil drilling is even stronger, with the 149-rig fleet up roughly 16% from 129 last year.
The year-over-year comparison has also strengthened considerably in just two weeks.
On September 18, Canada was only eight rigs ahead of its year-ago level. Today that advantage has widened to 26.
That rapid change is a reminder of how volatile weekly Canadian rig counts can be—and why the longer-term comparison often provides a better indication of industry direction.
This week, however, both measures point the same way.
Canada added eight rigs, oil and gas drilling both increased, and the total fleet is nearly 14% larger than it was a year ago.
After a choppy September, Canadian drilling activity is ending the period on considerably stronger footing.
Source: Baker Hughes North America Rig Count Report, October 2, 2026.
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