Bakken Rig Count Holds at 24 as North American Activity Stalls

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged at 24 on Wednesday, July 8, according to live data from Bakken Wire. No rigs were added, removed, or moved locations since the previous day.

The current count represents a continued downturn from recent activity levels. The state's rig fleet is down by two rigs compared to one week ago, when 26 rigs were active on July 1. The decline is more pronounced over the past month, with four fewer rigs running than the 28 reported on June 8.

The flat daily activity in the Bakken mirrors a broader trend across the continent. According to a report from Rigzone, North America's overall rig count also stayed flat week-on-week, snapping a prior streak of additions. The data, based on Baker Hughes' latest North America rotary rig count, indicates a pause in the expansion of drilling programs.

For operators in the Williston Basin, the steady but lower rig count suggests a period of capital discipline and focused operations. With fewer new wells being drilled, attention may shift to optimizing production from existing wells and completing drilled but uncompleted (DUC) inventories. The current level of activity is a key indicator for service companies, employment, and future oil production volumes in the state.

The Bakken formation remains one of the nation's top oil-producing regions, and rig count is a closely watched leading indicator of future output. The recent pullback from 28 to 24 active rigs over the past month could signal a cautious approach by producers amid fluctuating commodity prices or operational planning cycles.

No specific operator activity or regional movements were reported in the latest daily data. The stability follows a period of gradual decline, highlighting a potential consolidation phase in the basin's drilling operations as the industry moves into the second half of 2026.