Bakken Rig Count Holds at 23 for Third Consecutive Week

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged at 23 on Friday, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no day-over-day movement, with no new rigs added, removed, or relocated since yesterday.

This stability extends across recent weeks. The rig count has held at 23 for the past seven days and has been at the same level for the entire month of April, data shows.

The current activity level comes as North Dakota reflects on major milestones in its energy history. According to a report from the Institute for Energy Research, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the state’s first major oil discovery at the Clarence Iverson #1 well near Tioga on April 4, 1951. That well produced more than 585,000 barrels over its lifetime and launched the modern oil industry.

The report also highlights the 20th anniversary of the modern economic benefits unlocked by the Bakken formation. Advances in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing in the 2000s made the shale play accessible, leading to a production boom. North Dakota reached a historic landmark in April 2014 when oil production hit 1 million barrels per day.

Infrastructure built during the boom, like the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) completed in 2017, remains critical for moving Bakken crude to market. The industry's tax revenue has also funded state priorities, including the Legacy Fund, a permanent savings account created by voter approval in 2010.

The consistent rig count suggests operators are maintaining a focused drilling program. The current activity is a fraction of the peak seen during the height of the Bakken boom but represents a stabilized core of operations.

The Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. The technology of horizontal drilling, which allows lateral reaches up to three miles, is standard for accessing the shale today.

With no change in the drilling fleet, attention remains on well completion efficiency and commodity prices to drive near-term production levels. The steadiness in rig activity provides a stable base for the industry as it operates within the long-term context of North Dakota's 75-year oil history.