Forecast
The current CAOEC 2025/26 Drilling and Service Rig Forecast was released on December 1, 2025.
Download the 2025 State of the Industry Report and 2026 Forecast (December 2025)
2026 Service Rig Forecast
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
| Working Rigs = 483 | Working Rigs = 411 | Working Rigs = 459 | Working Rigs = 477 |
| Workable Fleet = 600 | Workable Fleet = 600 | Workable Fleet = 600 | Workable Fleet = 600 |
| Op Hours = 297,738 | Op Hours = 212,858 | Op Hours = 264,701 | Op Hours = 262,004 |
| Avg Hours Per Working Rig = 616 | Avg Hours Per Working Rig = 518 | Avg Hrours Per Working Rig = 576 | Avg Hours Per Working Rig = 549 |
| Workable Rig Utilization = 76% | Workable Rig Utilization = 54% | Workable Rig Utilization = 68% | Workable Rig Utilization = 67% |
|
|
|
Impact on Employment
|
|
Average
|
Direct Jobs |
Indirect Jobs |
Total Jobs |
Jobs Per Rig (NEW) |
6* |
64* |
70* |
|
2023 Actual |
458 |
2,748 |
29,312 |
32,060 |
2024 Actual |
435 |
2,610 |
27,840 |
30,450 |
2025 Actual + Q4 Forecast |
447 |
2,682 |
28,608 |
31,290 |
2026 Forecast |
458 |
2,748 |
29,312 |
32,060 |
*Source: CAOEC
2026 Drilling Rig Forecast
Total Wells (Western Canada): 5,709
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
| Active Rigs = 261 | Active Rigs = 153 | Active Rigs = 211 | Active Rigs = 225 |
| Avg Fleet = 350 | Avg Fleet = 339 | Avg Fleet = 340 | Avg Fleet = 340 |
| Op Days** = 18,405 | Op Days** = 10,597 | Op Days** = 15,392 | Op Days** = 15,549 |
AverageActive Rigs = 213 |
|
Operating Days & Wells Completed
Year |
Average Active Rigs |
Operating Days |
Wells Drilled |
2023 Actual |
202 |
57,944 |
5,389 |
2024 Actual |
213 |
61,456 |
5,758 |
2025 Actual + Q4 Forecast |
201 |
58,256 |
5,548 |
2026 Forecast |
213 |
59,943 |
5,709 |
Impact on Employment
|
|
Average
|
Direct Jobs |
Indirect Jobs |
Total Jobs |
Jobs Per Rig (NEW) |
21* |
226* |
247* |
|
2023 Actual |
202 |
4,242 |
45,652 |
49,894 |
2024 Actual |
213 |
4,473 |
48,138 |
52,611 |
2025 Actual + Q4 Forecast |
201 |
4,221 |
45,426 |
49,647 |
2026 Forecast |
213 |
4,473 |
48,138 |
52,611 |
*Source: CAOEC