Bakken Rig Count Holds at 23 Amid North American Decline

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 23 on Tuesday, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no new additions, removals, or location moves since the previous day.

This stability comes after a slight increase one week ago. The current count is up one rig from the 22 active on April 28, 2026, and is identical to the level seen one month ago on April 5, 2026.

The local steadiness contrasts with a broader decline across North America. According to Baker Hughes' latest weekly count published May 1, the total North American rig count fell by four week-on-week to 670, according to a report from Rigzone. This decline was driven by a seven-rig drop in Canada, which offset a three-rig gain in the United States.

The U.S. rig count stood at 547, comprising 408 oil rigs, 130 gas rigs, and nine miscellaneous rigs, Rigzone reported. The U.S. land rig count actually fell by six week-on-week, but this was offset by an eight-rig gain in offshore activity and a one-rig increase inland waters.

Significant state-level changes included Texas adding four rigs, Louisiana adding two, and Alaska adding one. New Mexico dropped three rigs and Wyoming dropped one, according to the Baker Hughes data cited by Rigzone. Among major basins, the Haynesville added two rigs, the Eagle Ford added one, and the Permian basin dropped one.

In Canada, the total rig count fell to 123, made up of 74 oil rigs and 49 gas rigs. The country's oil rig count dropped by four week-on-week and its gas rig count dropped by three, Rigzone reported.

Year-over-year comparisons show a larger contraction. The total North America rig count is down 34 rigs compared to May 2025. The U.S. has cut 37 rigs overall, driven by a reduction of 64 oil rigs, though it has added 22 gas rigs and five miscellaneous rigs. Canada has added three rigs year-on-year.

The Baker Hughes data indicates volatile weekly changes in recent months. Prior to the latest decline, North America had added one rig in the week ending April 24. It had dropped seven rigs the week before that, and ten rigs the week ending April 10, according to the Rigzone summary.

The consistent rig count in the Bakken suggests operators in North Dakota's premier oil basin are maintaining a focused drilling program despite the mixed signals and overall downward trend in North American activity. The state's count remains a key indicator of future production for the region.