Saskatchewan's energy and resource minister believes there are signs of economic growth for the province.

In a news release from the provincial government, Energy and Resources Minister and Weyburn Big Muddy MLA Dustin Duncan said the province’s drilling activity for the first quarter of 2017 is double what it was during the same period one year ago.

Last week's public offerings for the month of April - and the first offering of Crown petroleum and natural gas rights for 2017-18 fiscal year - raised $1.3 million.

This is down down $1.8 million compared to April of last year.

The highest dollar per hectare was $2,009.23 for a 16.188 hectare parcel south of Stoughton.

The province said public offering revenues fluctuate dues to a number of conditions including the current state of the market.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) reports oil around $52 US per barrel, while a year ago oil was sitting under $40 per barrel.