Canadian drilling activity slowed to 9 spuds on April 17, less than half the 30-day average of 22 per day and down sharply from 18 the prior session, consistent with the deepening of spring breakup conditions across Western Canada. Week-to-date spuds of 84 trail last week's 116, while the active rig count eased to 139, off two week-over-week and down from 149 four weeks ago. Headwater Exploration Inc. led operators with two wells, joined by Kelt Exploration Ltd., Spur Petroleum Ltd., Birchcliff Energy Ltd., and Paramount Resources Ltd. On a year-to-date basis, 3,559 spuds represent a 12.3% deficit to the same period in 2025, a gap that warrants monitoring once the spring season lifts.