Canada
March 20, 2026
Rig count plummets in Canada, steady in US
Written by Laura Miller
Oil and gas drilling in the US was basically steady in the week ended March 20, based on Baker Hughes‘ latest report on the number of rotary rigs in operation. Drilling in Canada, however, continued to slide, with the country seeing a steep decline in its rig count.
The US gained two oil rigs during the week but lost two gas and one miscellaneous rig, resulting in a net decline of just one rig. Drilling remains well below last year, with 41 fewer rigs in operation.
Canada’s rotary rig count fell by 20 net rigs to 177. Oil saw the steepest decline, decreasing by 17 rigs. Compared to last year, however, Canada’s count is down by just three.
The international rig count is updated monthly and is therefore unchanged since last week’s report. It will next be updated in the first week of April.
