Bakken Rig Count Hits 27 as Oil Prices Retreat
North Dakota's active drilling rigs remain at a low level despite recent high prices, suggesting a cautious outlook for production growth.
The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 27 on Sunday, June 7, according to Bakken Wire's midday data. This low rig count persists alongside a sharp midday decline in benchmark oil prices, pointing to continued restraint among Bakken operators in expanding drilling programs.
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was trading at $90.54, down $2.50 or 2.69% from its previous settlement. Brent crude fell to $93.09, a drop of $1.94. The Bakken crude differential stood at $-3.42 versus WTI. Natural gas was priced at $3.23.
Historically, the rig count is a leading indicator for future oil production in the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. A sustained increase in rigs typically signals an expansion in drilling and completion activity, which leads to new wells and production growth several months later. Conversely, a low and stable rig count suggests operators are maintaining existing production levels but are not aggressively pursuing significant new output.
The current count of 27 rigs remains near the lower end of the range seen in the post-pandemic era. While oil prices had been elevated prior to today's retreat, operators appear to be prioritizing capital discipline, shareholder returns, and efficiency gains over rapid production expansion. This strategy has led to a plateau in statewide production volumes despite periods of high commodity prices.
The midday price drop introduces additional uncertainty for near-term activity decisions. If the retreat from recent highs continues, it could reinforce the cautious approach already reflected in the rig count. Operators may continue to focus on drilling the most productive, cost-effective locations within their portfolios.
For royalty owners and service companies in the Williston Basin, the stable, low rig count indicates that the current level of drilling and development activity is likely to persist. Production outlooks depend heavily on the productivity of existing wells and the efficiency of new ones, rather than a surge in the number of new wells being drilled.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Data, June 7, 2026
