Bakken Rig Count Holds at 33 as North American Activity Rises

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 33 on Tuesday, September 29, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The state saw no new rigs added, removed, or relocated since yesterday's report.

This stability follows a period of modest fluctuation. The current count is up by one rig from the 32 active rigs reported one week ago on September 22. However, activity is down from a month prior, when 36 rigs were active on August 30.

The local trend aligns with a broader increase in North American drilling activity. According to a summary from Rigzone, North America added 15 rigs week-on-week in the latest Baker Hughes rotary rig count, which was published on September 28.

While the Bakken's rig count remains in a narrow range, international disputes over drilling rights continue to flare. According to a report from OilPrice.com, Argentine President Javier Milei has threatened to take the United Kingdom to international court over an oil drilling project off the coast of the Falkland Islands, which Argentina claims as the Malvinas. President Milei stated on social media that Argentina would initiate arbitration unless the UK halts the "Sea Lion Project" within two weeks.

The Sea Lion oil field is operated by Navitas Petroleum Development and Production Ltd and its partner Rockhopper Exploration. The companies recently reached a final investment decision on the project, with first oil planned for March 2028, and state they have valid licenses from the British government. The long-standing territorial dispute, which led to a war in 1982, underscores the geopolitical complexities that can surround offshore drilling projects, a contrast to the established regulatory framework governing onshore activity in basins like the Bakken.

For operators in the Williston Basin, the steady rig count suggests a continued focus on capital discipline and efficiency, with activity levels reflecting current commodity prices and operational plans. The small weekly gain indicates some measured optimism, though the monthly decline shows the count remains susceptible to downward adjustments.