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BAKKEN WIRE
Bakken Rig Count Holds at 27 After Daily Swap - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Holds at 27 After Daily Swap

Silver Hill Energy adds rig as Enerplus removes one, maintaining the basin's count amid steady month-over-month gains.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's Bakken formation remained unchanged at 27 on Wednesday, following a daily exchange of rigs between two operators. According to live rig data, one rig was added and one was removed since Tuesday, resulting in no net movement for the weekly count, which also stood at 27 a week ago.

Silver Hill Energy Operating, LLC added a new rig, NABORS B27, in Williams County. Meanwhile, Enerplus Resources USA Corporation removed its NOBLE 4 rig, also from Williams County. No rigs were reported as having moved locations.

The current count of 27 rigs represents an increase of five from a month ago, when 22 rigs were active on May 18, 2026. This suggests a steady, moderate uptick in drilling activity in the basin over the past month.

Concurrent with the stable rig activity, Vivakor, Inc. announced a significant new commercial agreement for Bakken crude oil. According to a company statement released Wednesday, Vivakor Supply & Trading has entered a one-year transaction covering approximately 120,000 barrels of crude oil per month. The deal, which begins July 1, 2026, is expected to generate about $9.6 million in gross revenue monthly, or $115 million on an annualized basis.

Vivakor reported that the crude will be delivered through its pipeline-connected injection facilities at Stanley and Beaver Lodge in North Dakota. Company Chairman and CEO James Ballengee stated the transaction "demonstrates the value of integrating commodity marketing with physical infrastructure" and strengthens Vivakor's commercial presence in the Bakken. The company estimates this deal brings its total contracted 2026 revenue opportunities to approximately $300 million.

The broader industry context for the Bakken was highlighted in a separate report. According to a summary from northdakotamonitor.com, North Dakota officials are pushing for rapid progress on next-generation oil production technology ahead of potential federal policy changes, underscoring a sentiment of urgency within the state's oil sector.

Source

Live Rig Data, Vivakor, Inc. press release (June 17, 2026), northdakotamonitor.com summary (June 16, 2026)

rig countdrilling activitysilver hill energyenerpluswilliams countyvivakorcrude oil marketing

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