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Bakken Rig Count Climbs to 27 with Three New Additions - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Climbs to 27 with Three New Additions

The North Dakota active rig tally rose by two net on Wednesday, with three new rigs deployed and one released, marking a steady increase over recent weeks.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's Bakken formation rose to 27 on Wednesday, July 29, according to Bakken Wire data. The count represents a net gain of two rigs from the previous day, with three new rigs commencing operations and one rig released.

Three operators deployed new rigs across the core Bakken counties. Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. spudded a well using the Nabors X25 rig in McKenzie County (148-100-1). Iron Oil Operating, LLC started drilling with the Nabors B 12 rig in Mountrail County (154-89-34). Also in Mountrail County, Rough Rider Bakken Water LLC began operations with the T&S Drilling 3 rig at location 157-93-12. No rigs were reported to have moved locations.

The sole rig released from service was Formentera Operations, LLC's Nabors B23 rig, which was last active in Burke County at 162-94-25.

The current rig count of 27 continues a gradual upward trend observed over the past month. Compared to one week ago, on July 22, the active rig count has increased by three, from 24. The count is also up by one rig from the total of 26 active on June 29.

The sustained rig activity in the Williston Basin contrasts with global developments where exploration access is expanding. In related news, Rigzone reported that New Zealand granted its first oil and gas exploration permit since reversing a 2018 ban. Australia's EnZed Energy won the license, according to the report.

The steady, incremental growth in Bakken drilling activity suggests operators are maintaining a measured pace of development, focusing on core counties like McKenzie and Mountrail. The rig count serves as a key leading indicator for future oil production in North Dakota, which remains a top U.S. oil-producing state.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone

rig countdrillingbakkennorth dakotaslawson explorationiron oilrough rider bakken waterformentera operations

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