Drilling rig activity has been stuck below the 20% fleet utilization rate for the past four weeks but year-to-date activity now shows a fractional rise from last year, thanks to more activity in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

According to Alberta Economic Development, the province is currently host to 53 different current or planned oilsands projects, with 27 of those players collectively proposing to invest over $100 billion within the next decade. Of the 53 projects, 13, valued at more than $25 billion, are currently underway.