One of the many pillars which form communities in west central Saskatchewan is the oil and gas sector. It is an important part of many lives in the region.

2017 is already showing signs of positivity for the workers in the industry as drilling activity is on the rise. According to the provincial government, Saskatchewan's oil and gas industry reported more than double the figures for oil drillings in comparison to last year.

Photo courtesy of the Sask. government website.

856 wells have been drilled in Saskatchewan from January to the end of March this year, an increase of 114 per cent compared to the first quarter of last year. 399 wells were drilled during the same time frame last year.

“An increase of more than 450 wells drilled is an optimistic indicator for our oil industry and, by extension, Saskatchewan’s economic outlook for the year ahead;” said Dustin Duncan, the Minister of Energy and Resources.

1,648 oil wells were drilled in the province last year, which was down ten per cent from 2015 when 1,831 oil wells were drilled. “Continued oil field activity at this pace is encouraging news,” said Duncan.  “It contributes positively to communities throughout our province and is part of our economic growth.”