WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
BAKKEN WIRE
Bakken Rig Count Climbs to 34, Adding 2 New Rigs - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Climbs to 34, Adding 2 New Rigs

Hess and Phoenix bring new rigs online as the count shows a net gain of one and a four-rig increase over the past week.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's Bakken formation rose to 34 on Thursday, October 1, 2026, marking a net increase of one rig from the previous day. According to live rig data, two new rigs were added and one was released.

Phoenix Operating LLC activated the PATTERSON 280 rig in Divide County at location 160-98-14. In Williams County, HESS BAKKEN INVESTMENTS II, LLC spudded a new well using the NABORS X27 rig at 156-98-3. The sole rig released was Zavanna Energy Operating, LLC's NABORS X28, which had been operating in Williams County at 153-99-3.

One rig changed locations, with ENERPLUS RESOURCES USA CORPORATION moving the PATTERSON 286 rig to a new site in Dunn County at 148-92-19.

The current activity represents a notable weekly gain. The rig count has increased by four since September 24, 2026, when 30 rigs were active. However, the count remains two rigs below the level seen a month ago on September 1, 2026, when 36 rigs were operational.

The uptick in drilling activity comes on the same day as significant federal legislative news that could impact future permitting. According to Rigzone, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Mike Lee, Shelley Moore Capito, Martin Heinrich, and Sheldon Whitehouse, released the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act on October 1. While the specifics of the bill's impact on energy permitting are not detailed in the summary, such legislative efforts are closely watched by Bakken operators for their potential to streamline or alter the federal permitting process for drilling on public and tribal lands.

The Williston Basin's rig count is a key indicator of near-term production activity and capital expenditure by oil and gas companies. The current count of 34 rigs reflects ongoing, measured development in the play, with operators like Hess and Phoenix continuing to drill new wells while others adjust their fleets. The week-over-week increase suggests a possible near-term strengthening in drilling activity as operators deploy rigs for the fourth quarter.

Source

Live rig data, Rigzone

rig countdrillinghessphoenix operatingzavannaenerpluswilliams countydivide countydunn countypermitting

Share this article

PostShareShareEmail

Related Articles

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 Amid Mixed Trends - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 Amid Mixed Trends

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota was unchanged for a second consecutive day, holding steady at 33 on Thursday, October 1, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The data showed no new rigs added, none removed, and no rigs moving location since Wednesday's report. Despite the daily stability, the current activity level represents a net increase from one week prior. On September 24, the state reported 30 active rigs, meaning the count has risen by three rigs over the past seven days. However, the broader monthly trend shows a contraction in drilling. The current tally of 33 rigs is down three from the 36 rigs reported active on September 1, indicating a slight pullback over the past month. The rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production in the Bakken formation and broader Williston Basin. A stable count in the low...

☀️Morning Wire·Oct 1
Bakken Rig Count Rises to 33 with Three New Rigs - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Rises to 33 with Three New Rigs

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota increased by three on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, to reach a total of 33. According to live rig data, no rigs were removed or moved location, resulting in a net gain of three new rigs since yesterday. The new activity was spread across three counties in the Bakken formation. Koda Resources Operating, LLC spudded the STONEHAM 17 well in Divide County. Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. added two rigs, one for the NOBLE 4 well in Dunn County and another for the NABORS B 13 well in McKenzie County. The current rig count of 33 represents an increase of two rigs compared to one week ago, when the state reported 31 active rigs on September 23. However, drilling activity remains below the level seen a month ago. The count is down by three rigs from the 36 active rigs reported on August...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Sep 30
North Dakota Rig Count Holds Steady at 30 - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds Steady at 30

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged at 30 on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, according to live rig data. No new rigs were added, none were removed, and there were no rigs that moved location in the latest daily report. This static daily figure continues a broader trend of declining activity in the Bakken formation. Compared to one week ago, on September 23, 2026, the active rig count is down by one rig. The longer-term trend shows a more significant pullback in drilling operations. The current count of 30 active rigs represents a decline of six rigs from the level seen just one month ago on August 31, 2026, when 36 rigs were operational. This month-over-month decrease highlights a sustained reduction in capital deployment toward new drilling across the Williston Basin. A stable rig count can reflect a period of evaluation by operators following shifts in...

☀️Morning Wire·Sep 30