Bakken Rig Count Holds at 26, Up Four From May

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged Sunday, holding at 26, according to live rig data tracked by Bakken Wire. There were no new rigs added, no rigs removed, and no rigs that moved location over the past 24 hours.

While the count was stable day-over-day, it represents a decline of one rig compared to one week ago, on June 7, 2026, when 27 rigs were active. The current level, however, marks an increase of four rigs from the count of 22 recorded one month ago on May 15, 2026.

The rig count is a key leading indicator for future oil production in the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. Stability in the count suggests operators are maintaining their current drilling programs amid prevailing market conditions. The four-rig increase over the past month points to a measured expansion of drilling activity by operators in the Williston Basin.

The current level of 26 rigs is significantly below the historical peaks seen in the previous decade but reflects a period of focused, capital-disciplined operations by producers. Companies typically deploy rigs to drill new wells that will later be completed and brought online, contributing to the state's total oil output.

With no rigs moving location reported Sunday, it indicates a period of operational consistency. The movement of a rig to a new drill site is a direct precursor to spudding a new well. The weekly and monthly comparisons provide a clearer picture of activity trends than daily fluctuations, which can often be neutral.

The trend over the past month will be watched by royalty owners, service companies, and state officials for signs of a sustained increase in development activity. State tax revenues and local economic activity are closely tied to the pace of drilling and completion work in the oil fields.

Further context on specific operator plans or regional drilling trends would provide additional detail on which companies are driving activity. The overall count remains a foundational metric for assessing industry health and future production potential in the Bakken.