Falling Canadian Natural Gas Rig Count Hints at Supply Easing; U.S. Production Yet to Pop

Natural gas drilling activity typically slows during the Canadian spring amid what’s known as the break-up season, when ground conditions thaw and temporarily prevent the movement of heavy equipment.

The season often kicks in by late March, but it may already be underway amid a mild start to the month, according to Enverus and Baker Hughes Co. data. The firms said the Western Canadian gas-directed rig count declined by seven to 64 in the week ended March 7. That was 20 fewer than a year earlier. It reached the lowest level of 2025.

The Canadian rig tally fell by another four units in the March 14 period.