Canadian Natural Resources Limited (CNRL) posted strong drilling activity in Q1 2025, continuing a positive trajectory from the prior year. A review of operational data reveals several notable trends across rig deployment, field concentration, and drilling methodologies—showing both consistency and strategic shifts in resource development.
Quarter-Over-Quarter Growth
CNRL recorded 121 drilling activity records in Q1 2025, up from 114 in Q1 2024. This 6% increase highlights CNRL’s steady investment in upstream operations, even amid a broader environment of cautious capital spending.
Rig Activity: AKITA and Precision Lead
The top-performing rig for Q1 2025 was AKITA 28, logging 19 records, up from 12 in Q1 2024. Precision Drilling rigs also remained active, with Precision 300 and Precision 153 contributing 15 and 12 records, respectively. While Precision 153 saw a drop from 20 records last year, the spread of activity across multiple rigs signals a diversified drilling approach.
Contractor and Rig Q1 2024 Q1 2025 Total Precision 153 20 12 32 AKITA 28 12 19 31 Precision 300 13 15 28
Field Activity: Kirby and Devenish Expand
The Kirby field emerged as the most active, with 27 records in Q1 2025, up from just 5 in Q1 2024—a remarkable increase that reflects focused development in oil sands assets. Devenish and Fisher remained key contributors, while new entries such as Lindbergh and Forsyth appeared in the top 10.
Regional Hotspots: Bonnyville and Grande Prairie
CNRL concentrated much of its Q1 2025 activity within the Bonnyville Field Centre, which saw 82 records, up from 76 the year prior. Grande Prairie and Slave Lake also experienced increases, reinforcing Alberta’s continued prominence in the company’s drilling strategy.
Board Field Centre Q1 2024 Q1 2025 Bonnyville 76 82 Grande Prairie 11 17 Slave Lake 2 13
Horizontal Drilling Dominates
In terms of drilling operations, Horizontal wells accounted for 70 records in Q1 2025, up from 60 in the same quarter last year. Directional drilling also grew slightly, while vertical and slant drilling declined—highlighting a continued pivot toward higher-efficiency horizontal wellbores.
Drilling Operation Q1 2024 Q1 2025 Horizontal 60 70 Directional 18 20 Vertical 16 7 Slant 13 4
Conclusion
Q1 2025 confirms CNRL’s commitment to sustaining its drilling program while selectively scaling in priority fields. With horizontal drilling on the rise, regional diversification expanding, and top-tier rigs like AKITA 28 and Precision 300 leading the charge, the company is positioned to maintain momentum through 2025.
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