Bakken Rig Count Holds at 35 as Global Drilling Intensity Shifts

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 35 for Tuesday, October 6, according to live data from Bakken Wire. There was no day-over-day change, with no new rigs added, none removed, and none relocated.

The current activity level represents a five-rig increase from one week prior, when the count stood at 30 on September 29. However, compared to a month ago on September 6, the count is unchanged, also at 35 rigs. This stability at the 35-rig level suggests a period of consolidation for Bakken operators after a recent weekly gain.

The broader North American market showed signs of increasing activity last week. According to Rigzone, North America added seven rigs week-on-week in the latest Baker Hughes rotary rig count published October 5.

Globally, major oil-producing nations are intensifying drilling efforts in challenging reservoirs to bolster domestic supply. According to a report from OilPrice.com, China is accelerating ultra-deep drilling campaigns. State-owned PetroChina has produced over 26 million tons of oil equivalent from reservoirs deeper than 6,000 meters in the Hade-Fuman oilfield in Xinjiang, a technically challenging and expensive endeavor.

Furthermore, China is also advancing its domestic shale exploration. OilPrice.com reported that Sinopec has obtained approval for proven geological reserves of 235.687 billion cubic meters at the ultra-deep Ziyang Dongfeng shale gas field in Sichuan province. This forms part of a national strategy to reduce dependence on imported hydrocarbons.

The sustained rig count in the Bakken, coupled with increased activity elsewhere in North America and ambitious deep-drilling programs abroad, highlights the ongoing global competition to secure hydrocarbon resources. For North Dakota producers, maintaining a stable rig count near current levels requires navigating both local economic factors and the broader international market dynamics influencing oil and gas investment.