Bakken Rig Count Holds at 27 for Second Consecutive Week

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 27 on Thursday, June 11, 2026, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no day-over-day change, with no new rigs added, none removed, and none relocated.

This stability extends the pattern from one week ago. The rig count also stood at 27 on June 4, 2026, indicating a full week of unchanged activity in the Williston Basin.

Despite the recent plateau, the current level of drilling activity represents a notable increase from earlier this spring. Compared to one month ago, on May 12, 2026, the active rig count has risen by four units, from 23 to 27.

A rig count of 27 reflects a measured pace of development for the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. The count serves as a leading indicator for future production and capital expenditure by operators in the state. The month-over-month gain suggests some operators may be cautiously increasing drilling programs amid prevailing commodity prices and operational efficiencies.

The lack of daily or weekly movement points to a period of consolidation following the recent build-up. Operators may be focusing on completing drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) or optimizing operations on existing pads. The stability also suggests no major disruptions to supply chains or crew availability affecting the drilling sector at this time.

For royalty owners and service companies, a steady rig count near the 30-mark indicates sustained, if not aggressively expanding, activity levels. It provides a baseline for local economic activity tied to drilling, completion, and production work. Market watchers will monitor upcoming weekly reports to see if the count breaks from its current holding pattern or if the month-long uptrend resumes.

The next significant move in the count will signal whether operators are confident enough to deploy more capital into new drilling or if they are maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation in the current price environment.