CALGARY, AB, Oct. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- Western Energy Services Corp. ("Western" or the "Company") (TSX: WRG) announces the release of its third quarter 2026 financial and operating results. Additional information relating to the Company, including the Company's financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") as at September 30, 2026 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025 will be available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Non-International Financial Reporting Standards ("Non-IFRS") measures and ratios, such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue, revenue per Operating Day, and revenue per Service Hour, as well as abbreviations and definitions for standard industry terms are defined later in this press release. All amounts are denominated in Canadian dollars (CDN$) unless otherwise identified.

Operational and Financial Highlights
Three Months Ended September 30, 2026

Financial Highlights:

• Third quarter revenue of $57.5 million in 2026 was $7.5 million (or 15%) higher than the third quarter of 2025, as both contract drilling and production services revenue increased.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $13.3 million in the third quarter of 2026 was $0.2 million (or 2%) higher compared to $13.1 million in the third quarter of 2025, as higher revenue was offset by higher salaries and repairs and maintenance costs. 
• The Company earned net income of $2.7 million in the third quarter of 2026 ($0.08 net income per basic common share) as compared to a net loss of $2.2 million in the third quarter of 2025 ($0.07 net loss per basic common share) due to higher Adjusted EBITDA and lower finance costs, depreciation, stock-based compensation and other expenses.
• Third quarter additions to property and equipment of $9.7 million in 2026 compared to $5.5 million in the third quarter of 2025, consisting of $5.4 million of expansion capital related to ELR rig upgrades and $4.3 million of maintenance capital.

Operational Highlights:

• In Canada, Operating Days of 1,153 in the third quarter of 2026 were 131 days (or 13%) higher compared to 1,022 days in the third quarter of 2025. Drilling rig utilization in Canada was 45% in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 33% in the same period of the prior year, mainly due to improved industry activity as well as Western's decision to deregister six rigs from its drilling fleet in Canada as of December 31, 2025.
• Revenue per Operating Day in Canada averaged $30,405 in the third quarter of 2026, which was consistent with the same period of the prior year.
• In the US, drilling rig utilization averaged 73% in the third quarter of 2026, which was 204% higher than the third quarter of 2025. Operating Days of 200 in the third quarter of 2026 were 54 days (or 37%) higher compared to 146 days in the third quarter of 2025 due to improved oil prices in 2026. Western deregistered three rigs from its drilling fleet in the US as of December 31, 2025.
• Revenue per Operating Day in the US for the third quarter of 2026 averaged US$34,717, a 3% increase compared to US$33,669 in the same period of the prior year.
• In Canada, service rig utilization was 38% in the third quarter of 2026, compared to 24% in the same period of the prior year. Service Hours increased by 12% to 10,986 hours from 9,838 hours in the same period of the prior year, mainly due to additional program work resulting from higher industry activity. Western deregistered 17 service rigs from its well servicing fleet as of December 31, 2025.
• Revenue per Service Hour averaged $921 in the third quarter of 2026 and was 3% lower than the third quarter of 2025. 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2026

Financial Highlights:

• Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 of $151.3 million was $7.8 million (or 5%) lower than the same period in 2025, mainly due to lower production services revenue.
• Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 of $31.4 million was $1.6 million (or 5%) lower compared to $33.0 million in the same period of 2025, as lower revenue was partially offset by lower costs per operating day in the drilling division. Included in Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, was $3.6 million of one-time reorganization costs. 
• The Company earned net income of $0.5 million in the first nine months of 2026 ($0.02 net income per basic common share) as compared to a net loss of $4.4 million in the first nine months of 2025 ($0.13 net loss per basic common share) as a decrease in Adjusted EBITDA and higher stock-based compensation expense was offset by lower depreciation expense and finance costs.
• For the nine months ended September 30, 2026, additions to property and equipment were $18.9 million compared to $16.4 million in the same period of the prior year, consisting of $9.9 million of expansion capital related to ELR rig upgrades and $9.0 million of maintenance capital.

Operational Highlights:

• In Canada, Operating Days of 3,137 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were 38 days (or 1%) higher compared to 3,099 days in the same period of the prior year, due to improved industry conditions resulting from higher commodity prices. Drilling rig utilization in Canada was 41% in the first nine months of 2026, compared to 33% in the same period of the prior year.
• Revenue per Operating Day in Canada averaged $31,529 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, which was 3% lower compared to $32,344 in the same period of the prior year.
• In the US, drilling rig utilization averaged 50% for the nine months ended September 30, 2026, which was higher than 22% in the same period in the prior year. Operating Days of 408 for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were 15 days (or 4%) lower compared to 423 days in the same period of the prior year.
• Revenue per Operating Day in the US for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 averaged US$34,353 a 10% increase compared to US$31,108 in the same period of the prior year.
• In Canada, service rig utilization was 33% in the nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared to 26% in the same period of the prior year. Service Hours decreased by 10% to 28,680 hours from 31,946 hours in the same period of the prior year, mainly due to changes in customer programs.
• Revenue per Service Hour averaged $920 in the first nine months of 2026 and was 10% lower than the same period in the prior year. 
• On April 28, 2026, the Company announced that it extended the maturity date of its Second Lien Facility (as defined in the MD&A) from May 18, 2027 to July 18, 2028.
• On June 25, 2026, the Company reached an agreement to extend the maturity date of its Credit Facilities (as defined in the MD&A) to the earlier of (i) January 18, 2028, or (ii) June 25, 2029 if the Second Lien Facility is extended.

Business Overview

Western is an energy services company that provides contract drilling services in Canada and in the United States ("US") and production services in Canada through its various divisions, its subsidiary, and its first nations relationships. 

Contract Drilling

Western currently markets a fleet of 31 drilling rigs specifically suited for drilling complex horizontal wells across Canada and the US. 

Western's marketed contract drilling rig fleet is comprised of the following:

Marketed Contract Drilling Fleet by Rig Classification

Extended Lateral Reach ("ELR") rigs are designed to efficiently drill the longer horizontal wells commonly utilized in modern unconventional resource development. Western categorizes its drilling rigs according to operational capabilities, including hookload, mobility systems, pad drilling functionality and overall suitability for extended lateral drilling applications. These classifications are intended to provide additional information regarding the Company's fleet and are not standardized industry classifications.

ELR Class 1 rigs are Western's highest-specification pad drilling rigs, designed for large-scale multi-well developments. These rigs feature pad walking systems, suitcase-style umbilical systems and high hookloads.

ELR Class 2 rigs are designed for medium-scale pad developments with a focus on efficiency, reduced move times, and streamlined operations and feature pad moving systems, line-pipe umbilical systems and enhanced mobility characteristics.

ELR Class 3 rigs are ideal for smaller, less complex drilling programs and lower-intensity multi-well pad drilling applications where flexibility and footprint matter most and include moving systems that provide efficient rig relocation between wellbores on multi-well pads.

Single Well rigs are conventional drilling rigs without pad moving systems and are primarily deployed on single-well locations.

Production Services

Production services provides well servicing and oilfield equipment rentals in Canada. Western operates 45 well servicing rigs.

Western's marketed well servicing rig fleet is comprised of the following:

Business Environment

Crude oil and natural gas prices impact the cash flow of Western's customers, which in turn impacts the demand for Western's services. The following table summarizes average crude oil and natural gas prices, as well as average foreign exchange rates, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 and 2025:

• West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") on average increased by 32% and 25% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. In 2026, global oil prices increased following the escalation of conflict in the Middle East and the associated disruption to global supply routes.
• Pricing on Western Canadian Select crude oil increased by 35% and 23% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026 respectively, compared to the same periods of the prior year.
• Natural gas prices in Canada were higher in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2026, compared to the same periods in the prior year with the 30-day spot AECO price increasing by 146% and 14% respectively. 
• The US dollar to the Canadian dollar foreign exchange rate for the three months ended September 30, 2026 strengthened by 1% compared to the same period in the prior year. For the nine months ended September 30, 2026 the US dollar to the Canadian dollar foreign exchange rate weakened by 1% compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Higher WTI prices in the three months ended September 30, 2026 contributed to an increase in industry average drilling activity in the US in the quarter. As reported by Baker Hughes Company¹, the number of active drilling rigs averaged 589 rigs during the three months ended September 30, 2026, compared to 540 rigs in the same period of the prior year. As at September 30, 2026 there was 593 rigs active which is a 10% increase as compared to 540 rigs at September 30, 2025.
• In Canada there were 226 active rigs in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin ("WCSB") at September 30, 2026, compared to 196 active rigs as at September 30, 2025, representing an increase of approximately 15%; the CAOEC² reported that for drilling in Canada, the total number of Operating Days in the WCSB for the three months ended September 30, 2026, were 16% higher than the same period in the prior year, whereas the total number of Operating Days in the WCSB for the nine months ended September 30, 2026 were 8% higher than the same period of the prior year. 

Outlook

As of the third quarter of 2026, industry fundamentals continue to support a cautiously constructive outlook. While oil markets remain supported, natural gas fundamentals remain mixed, with supply and storage levels continuing to influence pricing volatility. While broader producer spending programs have remained relatively stable, activity indicators suggest improving momentum in certain oil-weighted basins heading into the last quarter of the year, while gas-weighted activity remains more constrained.

Ongoing geopolitical instability in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, together with escalating trade tensions resulting from U.S. tariffs and retaliatory measures, continue to weigh on global economic conditions and market confidence. These macroeconomic factors are expected to contribute to ongoing volatility in commodity prices through 2026. The extent and duration of the impact of these conditions on Western's customers and operations remain uncertain.

Notwithstanding near-term challenges, Western is cautiously optimistic that heightened global trade tensions may increase focus on domestic energy security, potentially supporting investment in Canadian energy infrastructure and development. Government initiatives supporting energy infrastructure development and domestic energy security may further reinforce this trend.

To position the Company for long-term success, Western implemented several strategic initiatives in 2025, including a reorganization of senior leadership and further optimization of its asset portfolio. The Company exited U.S. operations outside North Dakota and deregistered certain inactive or non-strategic rigs in Canada and the United States, enabling capital and operating resources to be focused on its active fleet. Western remains committed to disciplined cost management, maintaining balance sheet strength, deleveraging and preserving operational flexibility. With an upgraded fleet, a focused operating footprint and continued industry rationalization within the WCSB, the Company believes it is well positioned to benefit from improvements in service demand and pricing. Currently, 19 of Western's drilling rigs and 17 of Western's well servicing rigs are operating.

Western's 2026 capital budget of $25 million reflects a balanced approach to maintenance and selective growth while allowing flexibility to adjust spending in response to customer activity. Over the medium term, Western expects its fleet to benefit from increased producer activity supported by growing Canadian LNG export capacity, expanding market access for Canadian hydrocarbons and broader initiatives aimed at strengthening domestic energy security.

Non-IFRS Measures and Ratios

Western uses certain financial measures in this press release which do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by IFRS ("Non-IFRS"). These measures and ratios, which are derived from information reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other reporting issuers. These measures and ratios have been described and presented in this press release to provide shareholders and potential investors with additional information regarding the Company. The Non-IFRS measures and ratios used in this press release are identified and defined as follows:

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as a Percentage of Revenue

Adjusted earnings before interest and finance costs, taxes, depreciation and amortization, other non-cash items and one-time gains and losses ("Adjusted EBITDA") is a useful Non-IFRS financial measure as it is used by management and other stakeholders, including current and potential investors, to analyze the Company's principal business activities, prior to consideration of how Western's activities are financed and the impact of foreign exchange, income taxes and depreciation. Adjusted EBITDA provides an indication of the results generated by the Company's principal operating segments, which assists management in monitoring current and forecasting future operations, as certain non-core items such as interest and finance costs, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other non-cash items and one-time gains and losses are removed. The closest IFRS measure would be net income for consolidated results and on a segmented basis, income before income taxes, as the Company manages its income tax position on a legal entity basis, which can differ from its operating segments.

Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue is a Non-IFRS financial ratio which is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenue for the relevant period. Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue is a useful financial measure as it is used by management and other stakeholders, including current and potential investors, to analyze the profitability of the Company's principal operating segments.

The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss), as disclosed in the condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, to Adjusted EBITDA:

Revenue per Operating Day

This Non-IFRS measure is calculated as drilling revenue for both Canada and the US respectively, divided by Operating Days in Canada and the US respectively. This calculation represents the average day rate by country, charged to Western's customers.

Revenue per Service Hour

This Non-IFRS measure is calculated as well servicing revenue divided by Service Hours. This calculation represents the average hourly rate charged to Western's customers.

Defined Terms

Drilling rig utilization: Calculated based on Operating Days divided by total available days.

Operating Days: Defined as contract drilling days, calculated on a spud to rig release basis.

Service Hours: Defined as well servicing hours completed.

Service rig utilization: Calculated as total Service Hours divided by 217 hours per month per rig multiplied by the average rig count for the period as defined by the CAOEC industry standard.

Working capital: Calculated as current assets less current liabilities as disclosed in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Abbreviations

• Barrel ("bbl");
• Canadian Association of Energy Contractors ("CAOEC");
• DecaNewton ("daN");
• International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS");
• Pounds ("lbs");
• Thousand cubic feet ("mcf");
• Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin ("WCSB"); and
• West Texas Intermediate ("WTI").

Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, as well as other information based on Western's current expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions based on information available as of the date hereof. All information and statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature constitute forward-looking information, and words and phrases such as "may", "will", "should", "could", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "plan", "predict", "potential", "continue", or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking information. This forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information.

In particular, forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to: the business of Western; industry, market and economic conditions and any anticipated effects on Western and its customers; commodity pricing; the future demand for the Company's services and equipment; expectations regarding future drilling and well servicing activity; expectations with respect to customer spending; the impact of a reduced industry rig count and Western's upgraded drilling rigs; the potential impact of the ongoing geopolitical instability in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Venezuela on crude oil prices; the Company's capital budget for 2026, including the allocation of such budget; Western's plans for managing its capital program; expectations of continued investment in the Canadian crude oil and natural gas industry and increased industry activity associated with major Canadian infrastructure projects, including the Trans Mountain pipeline project and the LNG Canada liquified natural gas project and broader initiatives supporting domestic energy security and economic independence; the impact of the US tariffs and retaliatory measures on global economic conditions and market confidence; the Company's ability to continue to focus on deleveraging the business; the Company's ability to source its short and long term liquidity requirements; the Company's liquidity needs including the ability of current capital resources to cover Western's financial obligations and 2026 budgeted capital expenditures; expectations with respect to capital expenditures; the methods by which the Company manages liquidity risk; the use, availability and sufficiency of the Company's Credit Facilities; the Company's ability to maintain certain covenants under its Credit Facilities; the repayment of the Company's debt, including the source of funds required to repay such debt; maturities of the Company's contractual obligations with third parties; the impact of changes in commodity prices, inflation, interest rates and foreign exchange rates; the Company's ability to maintain a competitive advantage, including the factors and practices anticipated to produce and sustain such advantage.

The material assumptions that could cause results or events to differ from current expectations reflected in the forward-looking information in this press release include, but are not limited to: demand levels and pricing for oilfield services; demand for crude oil and natural gas and the price and volatility of crude oil and natural gas; pressures on commodity pricing; the impact of inflation; the continued business relationships between the Company and its significant customers; crude oil transport, pipeline and LNG export facility approval and development; that all required regulatory and environmental approvals can be obtained on the necessary terms and in a timely manner, as required by the Company; liquidity and the Company's ability to finance its operations; the effectiveness of the Company's cost structure and capital budget; the effects of seasonal and weather conditions on operations and facilities; the competitive environment to which the Company's business segments are, or may be, exposed in all aspects of their business and the Company's competitive position therein; the ability of the Company's business segments to access equipment; global economic conditions and the accuracy of the Company's market outlook expectations for 2026 and in the future; that global trade tensions may increase focus on domestic energy security, supporting accelerated infrastructure development; the impact, direct and indirect, of epidemics, pandemics, other public health crisis and geopolitical events, including the conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the uncertain economic and political environment in Venezuela, and the import tariffs implemented by the US administration, on Western's business, customers, business partners, employees, supply chain, other stakeholders and the overall economy; changes in laws, regulations, or policies, including currency exchange fluctuations; the ability of the Company to attract and retain skilled labour and qualified management; the ability to retain and attract significant customers; the ability to maintain a satisfactory safety record; that any required commercial agreements can be reached; that there are no unforeseen events preventing the performance of contracts and general business, economic and market conditions.

Although Western believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based on are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information as Western cannot give any assurance that such will prove to be correct. By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, volatility in market prices for crude oil and natural gas and the effect of this volatility on the demand for oilfield services generally; reduced exploration and development activities by customers and the effect of such reduced activities on Western's services and products; political, industry, market, economic, and environmental conditions in Canada, the US, and globally; supply and demand for oilfield services relating to contract drilling, well servicing and oilfield rental equipment services; the proximity, capacity and accessibility of crude oil and natural gas pipelines and processing facilities; liabilities and risks inherent in oil and natural gas operations, including environmental liabilities and risks; changes to laws, regulations and policies; the ongoing geopolitical events in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Venezuela and the duration and impact thereof; fluctuations in foreign exchange, inflation or interest rates; failure of counterparties to perform or comply with their obligations under contracts; regional competition and the increase in new or upgraded rigs; the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled labour; Western's ability to obtain debt or equity financing and to fund capital operating and other expenditures and obligations; the potential need to issue additional debt or equity and the potential resulting dilution of shareholders; uncertainties in weather and temperature affecting the duration of the service periods and the activities that can be completed; the Company's ability to comply with the covenants under the Credit Facilities, HSBC Facility and the Second Lien Facility and the restrictions on its operations and activities if it is not compliant with such covenants; Western's ability to protect itself from "cyber-attacks" which could compromise its information systems and critical infrastructure; disruptions to global supply chains; and other general industry, economic, market and business conditions. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of risks, uncertainties and assumptions are not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other risk factors that could affect Western's operations and financial results are discussed under the headings "Risk Factors" in Western's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2025, which is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Western does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Any forward-looking information contained herein are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

SOURCE Western Energy Services Corp.