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BAKKEN WIRE
Bakken Rig Count Holds at 30, Up 4 From Last Week - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Holds at 30, Up 4 From Last Week

North Dakota's active drilling fleet remains steady as U.S. rig count climbs for sixth consecutive week.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of rigs actively drilling for oil and gas in North Dakota held firm at 30 on Sunday, May 31, 2026, according to live Bakken Wire data. The count showed no day-over-day change, with no new rigs added, removed, or moved.

The current activity level represents an increase from the 26 rigs reported one week ago on May 24. Compared to one month ago on May 1, when 23 rigs were active, the Bakken rig fleet has grown by seven units.

The stability in North Dakota aligns with a broader national trend of increasing drilling activity. According to a Baker Hughes survey reported by Bing News on May 29, the total number of oil and gas rigs actively drilling in the United States increased by four to 562. That marks the sixth consecutive weekly rise and the highest national rig count in a year.

While the Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, international policy developments continue to shape the global drilling landscape. In Europe, Norway is campaigning for the withdrawal of an EU moratorium on new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic, a region containing nearly two-thirds of Norway's petroleum resources, Rigzone reported on May 29.

Separately, political focus on hydrocarbon development was highlighted in the UK. Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice told energy industry representatives that his party would prioritize cutting energy bills and North Sea drilling over investing in green energy if it wins the next general election, according to a May 29 Rigzone report.

The steady rig count in the Williston Basin suggests operators are maintaining a measured pace of development. The increase of seven rigs over the past month indicates a renewed, though cautious, commitment to drilling activity compared to early May levels. The lack of daily movement suggests crews are focused on completing current wells rather than mobilizing new equipment.

The national rig count's sustained climb to a one-year high may signal improving operator confidence in commodity price stability, which can influence future activity plans in key basins like the Bakken. However, local rig counts can fluctuate based on individual operator budgets, well completion schedules, and logistical factors specific to North Dakota.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, historical Bakken Wire data, Bing News, Rigzone

rig countdrillingbakkennorth dakotawilliston basinbaker hughesoil and gas

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