Bakken Rig Count Holds at 23 Amid Divide County Activity
The North Dakota drilling fleet sees one new rig and one departure, with activity concentrated in the northwestern counties.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained at 23 on Monday, July 27, 2026, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The figure represents a net change of zero from the previous day, following the addition of one new rig and the departure of another.
One new rig entered the field. Firebird Services, LLC commenced operations with the T&S Drilling 2 rig at location 160-98-22 in Divide County. Concurrently, one rig was released. Phoenix Operating LLC's Patterson 280 rig was removed from location 162-95-27, also in Divide County.
In other activity, one rig changed locations within the state. Koda Resources Operating, LLC moved its Stoneham 17 rig to a new site at 160-103-22, remaining within Divide County.
The current count of 23 active rigs represents a slight decline from recent levels. One week ago, on July 20, 2026, the state reported 24 active rigs. The figure is down three rigs from one month prior, when 26 rigs were active on June 27, 2026.
The day's movements highlight continued operator focus on the core northwestern counties of the Williston Basin, particularly Divide County. The region, known for its high-quality Bakken and Three Forks formations, continues to attract drilling capital even as the overall fleet size experiences a moderate contraction.
The rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production in North Dakota. A stable but slightly declining count suggests operators are maintaining a measured pace of development, likely focused on drilling their highest-return prospects. The concentration of activity in Divide County aligns with the industry's shift in recent years towards development in the basin's core areas.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data
