Bakken Rig Count Holds at 26, Up 4 from May

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's oil fields was unchanged Sunday, holding steady at 26, according to live data from Bakken Wire. There were no new rigs added, no rigs removed, and no rigs that moved location since the previous day.

While the count was flat day-over-day, the current fleet represents a decline from one week ago when 27 rigs were active. However, the broader trend shows increased activity compared to last month. The rig count is up four units from the 22 rigs reported on May 15.

The Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and rig count is a key leading indicator of future production and industry investment. The current level of 26 rigs suggests a stabilized, moderate pace of drilling development in the Williston Basin.

The month-over-month gain aligns with typical seasonal increases in activity as weather conditions improve, though operators remain disciplined in their capital spending. The slight weekly decrease could reflect normal operational adjustments as individual wells are completed and rigs are moved between locations.

According to a Dakota Download news summary from June 11, several regional issues, including Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) settlements and local county measures, continue to provide the regulatory and legal backdrop for industry operations. These factors can influence long-term planning and infrastructure development for Bakken producers.

The stability in the rig count indicates that major operators are maintaining their planned drilling programs. With no day-to-day changes reported, the focus for service companies and crews will be on efficiently operating the existing active rigs to drill and complete new wells.