Bakken Rig Count Holds at 26 for Thursday

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 26 on Thursday, July 16, 2026, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no day-over-day change, with zero new rigs added, zero rigs removed, and zero rigs moving locations since Wednesday.

This stability follows a period of minor fluctuation. Compared to one week ago on July 9, the rig count is up by one unit. However, the current fleet of 26 rigs represents a decrease of one rig from the level seen one month ago on June 16, when 27 rigs were active.

The rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production in the Bakken formation. A stable count in the mid-20s suggests operators are maintaining a consistent, though moderated, pace of drilling activity. This level of activity is a fraction of the historic highs seen during previous boom cycles but reflects a focus on capital discipline and efficiency in the current commodity price environment.

Sustained activity at this level is critical for offsetting the steep decline rates typical of Bakken shale wells. Operators must continue drilling new wells to maintain the state's oil production, which has been the second-highest in the nation for over a decade. The current rig deployment will translate into new well completions and production additions in the coming months.

The specific locations and operators running these 26 rigs were not detailed in the live data report. Major Bakken operators typically include Continental Resources, Hess Corporation, Marathon Oil, and Whiting Petroleum, among others. Their collective drilling plans dictate the overall rig count.

Market analysts often view a flat rig count as a sign of equilibrium, where companies are neither aggressively expanding nor sharply contracting their drilling programs. It suggests a wait-and-see approach, potentially influenced by current oil prices, hedge positions, and operational efficiency targets.

For service companies and communities in the Williston Basin, a steady rig count provides a degree of predictability for employment and local economic activity. While far below the boom-time peaks that saw over 200 rigs running, the current activity supports a core industry infrastructure.