Bakken Rig Count Holds at 24

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's oil fields held steady at 24 on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no change from Tuesday, with zero new rigs added, zero removed, and no recorded rig moves.

This static daily figure extends a period of declining activity in the Williston Basin. The current count of 24 rigs is down one rig from the total of 25 reported just one week ago, on July 8. The decline over a longer period is more pronounced, with four fewer rigs working compared to the 28 active rigs recorded one month ago, on June 15.

The regional trend in North Dakota aligns with a broader slowdown in North American drilling activity this week. According to a report from Rigzone, North America's overall rig count dropped by 10 rigs week-on-week, marking the first weekly decline in several months. The data, sourced from Baker Hughes' latest North America rotary rig count, was published on July 14, 2026.

A rig count of 24 represents a historically low level of drilling activity for the Bakken formation, which has seen counts exceed 50 during periods of high commodity prices and robust operator activity. The current level suggests a continued focus by operators on capital discipline and generating free cash flow, rather than aggressive production growth through new drilling.

The sustained lower rig count will eventually impact the pace of new well completions and could influence future production volumes from the state. North Dakota's oil output is heavily dependent on a consistent pipeline of new wells to offset the steep decline rates typical of horizontal shale wells.

Market observers monitor the rig count as a leading indicator of future oil supply and as a gauge of oilfield service company demand. The flat-to-declining trend in the Bakken mirrors a cautious approach by exploration and production companies amid ongoing price volatility and shifting investor priorities.