Bakken Rig Count Hits 24, Burlington, Devon Lead Activity

The active rig count in North Dakota's Bakken formation stands at 24 as of Saturday, April 11, 2026, according to live rig data. No rigs were removed or moved location, but all 24 rigs are newly reported, indicating a fresh snapshot of current drilling activity across the Williston Basin.

The data shows concentrated operations by major operators. Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP is running three rigs in McKenzie County: NABORS X8 at 148-98-24, H & P 603 at 148-98-13, and NABORS b20 at 151-97-7. Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. also has three rigs active, with two in McKenzie County (NABORS B17 at 152-101-25 and NABORS B6 at 152-101-26) and one in Williams County (NABORS B 13 at 155-102-34).

Other prominent operators include Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC, which has rigs in McKenzie (NABORS x24) and Williams (NABORS X-10 and NABORS X27) counties. Oasis Petroleum North America LLC has two rigs in Mountrail County (NABORS B26) and two in Williams County (PATTERSON 286 and PATTERSON 808). Enerplus Resources USA Corporation is operating two rigs in Dunn County: PATTERSON 806 and TRUE 40.

Geographically, the activity is centered in the core Bakken production counties. McKenzie County hosts seven rigs, Williams County has six, and Mountrail County has four. Dunn, Divide, and Burke counties each have active rigs as well.

The Williston Basin, which covers much of North Dakota and extends into Canada, South Dakota, and Montana, is primarily known for its oil production, according to a Bing News summary published April 10, 2026. The current rig activity underscores the continued focus on developing this resource.

While the rig data provides a clear picture of current operations, broader energy industry news highlights competitive pressures. An OilPrice.com article published today notes that Chinese AI groups have gained an edge by offering significantly cheaper computing, partly due to good electricity rates. This dynamic underscores the global importance of cost-competitive energy, a factor always relevant to oil and gas operations in the Bakken.

The stable count of 24 rigs represents significant ongoing capital investment and drilling programs by key Bakken operators. This level of activity is essential for maintaining and growing production from the formation.