Bakken rig count holds at 35, one rig moves location

The number of rigs actively drilling for oil and gas in North Dakota held steady at 35 on Saturday, September 12, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no net change from the previous day, with no new rigs added and none released.

One rig did move location within the state's core Bakken formation. Murex Petroleum Corporation moved its H & P 515 drilling rig to location 157-95-29 in Williams County. The move represents ongoing development activity within a key producing county.

The current rig level of 35 is unchanged from one week ago, on September 5. However, the count represents an increase of four rigs compared to one month ago, when 31 rigs were active on August 13.

The stability in North Dakota contrasts with a slight uptick in the national drilling fleet. According to a Baker Hughes survey reported by Bing News on September 11, the total number of oil and gas rigs actively drilling in the United States rose by three to 591.

For North Dakota operators, a rig count in the mid-30s reflects a sustained level of development activity focused on the most productive areas of the Bakken formation. Williams County, where the recent rig move occurred, is a historical center of drilling activity within the Williston Basin.

The rig count is a closely watched indicator of near-term oilfield activity and future production potential. The month-over-month increase of four rigs suggests a measured expansion in drilling programs by operators in the region, even as the weekly figure shows consolidation at the current level.

Continued activity at this pace supports the service sector and employment in oil-producing counties. The focus for operators remains on drilling efficiency and maximizing returns from core Bakken acreage.