Oklahoma’s rig count increased week over week, driven entirely by a five-rig gain in the Cana Woodford, which now stands at 22 rigs and is clearly absorbing capital from other in-state plays. Declines in the Granite Wash and Ardmore Woodford reinforce that this is targeted concentration, not broad-based growth, with activity led by repeat operators like Validus Energy, Continental Resources, and Mewbourne using established contractors.

2026 is shaping up as one of the strongest Western Canada drilling starts of the past three years, with wells drilled in the first 90 days materially exceeding both 2024 and 2025.
Driven by a sharp acceleration in Alberta activity, increased drilling by major operators like Cenovus and CNRL, and renewed momentum in core field centers such as Bonnyville, Grande Prairie, and Fort McMurray, early-year execution points to a stronger full-year outlook.