The Canadian active rig count slipped to 139 as of April 17, down 2 week-over-week and extending a pronounced eight-week decline from a peak of 179 in mid-March, consistent with seasonal spring breakup conditions. Spuds totalled 105 for the week ending April 19, down from 119 the prior week, as softening ground and road bans across Alberta and British Columbia constrain field access. New licence issuances came in at 88 for the week, a sharp 23-unit increase over the prior week's 65, suggesting operators are positioning for a post-breakup drilling ramp. Year-to-date spuds stand at 3,559, running 13.2% below the same period in 2025 when 4,102 wells had been spudded, a gap that has persisted through the quarter. Leading operators this week include Strathcona Resources and Spur Petroleum, each recording 11 spuds, followed closely by Cenovus Energy at 10 and Canadian Natural Resources at 9.