Bakken Rig Count Drops to 22 as Two Rigs Cease Operations

The active drilling rig count in North Dakota's Bakken formation fell to 22 on Monday, April 13, according to Bakken Wire's live rig data. The net change was zero, as two rigs were removed and no new rigs were added since yesterday's report.

Two rigs ceased operations. Phoenix Operating LLC removed its PATTERSON 276 rig from location 158-91-29 in Mountrail County. HESS BAKKEN INVESTMENTS II, LLC removed the NABORS X27 rig from location 156-95-4 in Williams County, the data shows. No rigs were reported to have moved location.

The Williston Basin, which contains the Bakken formation, is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region and extends into Canada, South Dakota, and Montana, according to a Bing News report published April 10. While known for oil, the basin also produces natural gas and natural gas liquids.

The current rig count of 22 represents a baseline level of drilling activity in the region. The removal of two rigs, following yesterday's addition of two, indicates a dynamic but stable environment where operators adjust their drilling programs based on economic conditions, well completion schedules, and strategic planning.

For Bakken operators and royalty owners, the rig count is a key indicator of near-term production potential and capital expenditure trends. A count in the low 20s suggests a focused, efficient drilling approach, with companies likely concentrating on core areas with the highest returns.

The specific counties where rigs were removed—Mountrail and Williams—are historically among the most active and productive in the Bakken. Activity fluctuations within these counties are normal as operators move between drilling pads and complete wells.

The unchanged net rig count over the past day points to a period of equilibrium in the basin's drilling footprint. Without significant new additions or large-scale removals, the pace of new well development appears consistent.

Maintaining a stable rig count allows operators to manage costs and align drilling with oil price expectations, pipeline capacity, and gas capture infrastructure. It also provides a steady flow of new wells to offset the natural decline of existing production.

The live data provides a real-time snapshot of physical drilling activity, which directly influences future oil and gas output from the Bakken formation. The total count of 22 rigs actively drilling will translate into new wells brought online in the coming months.