RE:Rig Count Since the start of the pandemic, the number of DUC's has been constantly diminished. Now with the increased drilling the number of DUC's should increase. Frac counts are still seasonally low (about 270 I believe ) but are expected to rise to 300 or more by summer depending on labour, horsepower,frac sand etc.
I do not think nat gas production will rise quick enough to save North America from a very tight market next winter. Meanwhile, Canadian gas inventories are the lowest they have ever been in a long time.
There may very well be weakness a year out as the futures market is already showing !! Plenty of time to get levels down to very manageable levels !!
We should remember also that nat gas demand should remain strong, particularly since coal prices will continue to rise due to international pressures !!