Bakken Rig Count Holds at 36, Up 9 Rigs Over Past Month

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged for a second day, holding steady at 36 on Sunday, according to Bakken Wire live data. No rigs were added, removed, or moved location since yesterday's report.

The current count represents a significant increase in activity compared to recent weeks. The rig count is up by two from the 34 rigs active one week ago, on August 23, 2026. More notably, activity has surged by nine rigs over the past month, climbing from a base of 27 rigs on July 31, 2026.

The stability in the Bakken contrasts with new drilling programs being launched in other major U.S. oil basins. According to a report from Rigzone, Texas-based EON has commenced a 92-well horizontal drilling program in New Mexico. The company's CEO, Dante Caravaggio, stated that "the first three of 92 horizontal wells now being drilled makes all the difference in the world to us," highlighting the scale of the investment in the Permian Basin region.

The sustained rig count in North Dakota suggests operators are maintaining a consistent pace of development in the Williston Basin. The increase of nine rigs over the past month indicates renewed capital deployment and confidence in the region's economics, following a period of lower activity.

The Bakken formation remains a cornerstone of U.S. shale production, and rig activity is a leading indicator of future oil output. The current level of 36 rigs, while subject to weekly fluctuations, provides a snapshot of ongoing investment by exploration and production companies operating in the state.

Analysts monitor rig counts closely to gauge industry sentiment and predict production trends. The month-over-month gain suggests that, despite day-to-day stability, the broader trend for the Bakken is one of expansion as the third quarter of 2026 progresses.