Bakken Rig Count Holds Steady at 23

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, holding at 23, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no movement from the previous day, with no new rigs added, none removed, and none reported as having moved locations.

The current level represents a stable plateau over the past week. The rig count also stood at 23 one week ago, on May 6, 2026, indicating no net change in drilling activity over that seven-day period.

When viewed on a slightly longer timeline, the current activity level reflects a modest increase. One month ago, on April 13, 2026, the state's active rig count was 22. The present count of 23 represents a gain of one rig over that four-week period.

A rig count of 23 places Bakken drilling activity significantly below the boom-era peaks but within the range that has persisted in recent years as operators focus on capital discipline and efficiency. The stability in the count suggests that major producers in the Williston Basin are maintaining their planned drilling programs without significant near-term adjustments.

The rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production in the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. A steady count typically points to sustained, but not expanding, development activity. Operators use the most active rigs to drill new, longer lateral wells that are designed to maximize initial production rates and estimated ultimate recovery per well.

For royalty owners and service companies, a stable rig count provides predictability for local economies in the oil-producing counties of western North Dakota. It suggests a consistent, though not booming, level of work for drilling crews, hydraulic fracturing teams, and oilfield service providers.

The lack of daily movement in the rig fleet underscores the methodical, planned nature of modern shale development, where operators carefully schedule rigs to meet annual capital expenditure targets and hold production flat or allow for modest growth.

Bakken Wire will continue to monitor daily rig activity and provide updates on any changes to the drilling landscape.