The first quarter of 2025 kicked off with solid momentum in Western Canada, fueled by aggressive drilling programs focused on heavy oil. Despite soft commodity prices and policy uncertainty, operators doubled down on development—particularly in core Lloydminster and Wainwright zones.
Our team tracked 878 drilling records in Q1 2025, a 2.7% increase over Q1 2024, signalling renewed investment and confidence across the patch.
🔝 Cenovus, Suncor, and CNOOC Petroleum North America Lead the Heavy Oil Charge
Here’s a look at the top 5 operators by activity in Q1 2025, many of which are dominant players in Saskatchewan and Alberta’s heavy oil belts:
Account Name 2025 Q1 Record Count 2024 Q1 Record Count % Change Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024 Cenovus Energy Inc. 266 244 +9.0% Suncor Energy Inc. 116 163 -28.8% CNRL (Canadian Natural Resources Ltd) 85 86 -1.2% Strathcona Resources Ltd. 70 49 +42.9% CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC& Gas Canada Inc. 49 11 +345.5%
🔍CNOOC Petroleum North America ULC 345% jump signals a major push into the Lloydminster heavy oil window, while Strathcona’s activity rose 43%, building on its growing Midale and Mannville footprint. Cenovus, the top driller this quarter, maintained steady growth as its thermal and conventional assets drive consistent rig demand.
🛠️ Rig Contractors: AKITA and Ensign Step Up
Here’s how the top drilling contractors performed in Q1 2025:
Drilling Provider 2025 Q1 Count 2024 Q1 Count % Change Precision Drilling 359 363 -1.1% AKITA Drilling Ltd 125 78 +60.3% Ensign Energy Services 81 77 +5.2% Big Country Drilling Ltd 71 85 -16.5% Predator Drilling Inc 66 89 -25.8%
📈 AKITA’s 60% growth underscores its growing footprint in Lloydminster-focused programs, often working on repeat pads for operators targeting heavy oil with low-cost vertical wells.
🧭 Horizontal vs. Vertical: A Balanced Quarter
Drilling operations reflected the varied geology of the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin:
Drilling Operation Record Count Horizontal 417 Vertical 297 Directional 76 Slant 23
While horizontal drilling remains dominant—especially in thermal and SAGD projects—vertical wells still represent a significant portion of activity, particularly in legacy heavy oil fields and pad infills across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
📍 The Bottom Line
Q1 2025 showcased a sector leaning into efficiency, pad development, and asset optimization. With heavy oil programs driving much of the volume, Western Canada remains a key frontier for service companies targeting growth.
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