AKITA Drilling Taps Industry Veteran Rob Symonds Amidst Calgary's Energy Boom
CALGARY, AB – AKITA Drilling Ltd. (TSX: AKT.A), a premier Canadian oil and gas drilling contractor, announced Rob Symonds’ appointment as a new Independent Director to its Board, effective November 24, 2025. This move reinforces Calgary’s pivotal energy sector role amidst robust industry growth and supportive provincial policies.
Seasoned Leadership for a Growing Sector
Mr. Symonds brings over 40 years of invaluable operational expertise. His distinguished career includes COO of Husky Energy, overseeing extensive upstream and downstream operations across North America and offshore Atlantic Canada. Prior to Husky, he held executive roles at Enerplus Corporation and began his career as a reservoir engineer at Shell Canada, where he also managed North Sea assets. His deep industry understanding, cultivated since earning degrees from the Universities of Alberta and Edinburgh, will be a significant asset.
AKITA's Extensive Reach
AKITA operates a fleet of 32 high-specification drilling rigs. Its Canadian division utilizes 17 rigs across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan, focusing on critical regions like the oil sands and Montney gas basin. In the U.S., AKITA’s 15 rigs, primarily based out of Midland, Texas, serve the Permian Basin—the nation's most active drilling area. This extensive operational footprint positions AKITA to capitalize on increasing demand.
Calgary: An Energy Capital on the Rise
This appointment coincides with a vibrant resurgence in Calgary’s energy sector. Alberta's government fosters growth through TIER regulation amendments (Sept 2025) and the Alberta Drilling Accelerator program (June 2025), backed by $20 million for technology advancement. Industry forecasts predict Western Canadian drilling activity will reach a 10-year high in 2025, with a 7.3% increase in wells and thousands of new jobs. Calgary's economy is projected to outpace the national average, solidifying its status as Canada’s dominant energy engine.
