Bakken Rig Count Holds Steady at 34, Up 11 From July

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged on Monday, holding at 34, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The figure showed no day-over-day movement, with no new rigs added, removed, or relocated.

The current activity level represents a significant increase from earlier this summer. The rig count is up by one compared to one week ago on August 17, 2026, when 33 rigs were active. More strikingly, the count has surged by 11 rigs over the past month, rising from 23 active rigs on July 25, 2026.

The steady rig count in the Bakken coincides with renewed global focus on securing long-term oil and gas supplies from stable, non-conflict regions. According to a report from OilPrice.com, Norway's Energy Minister Terje Aasland vowed on Monday to continue exploring for oil and gas in the Arctic Barents Sea, emphasizing its importance for European energy security. Norway is Europe's single biggest gas supplier.

Minister Aasland stated that continued activity in the Barents Sea serves both Norwegian and European interests and is key to maintaining the country's oil and gas export levels until at least 2035. This stance comes despite a European Union moratorium on Arctic drilling enacted in 2021. The minister's comments were made ahead of a major energy conference in Stavanger, Norway, beginning Monday, August 24.

The geopolitical argument for sustained drilling has gained influential support. OilPrice.com reported that Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), said last month that the EU should reverse its moratorium on Arctic drilling due to its importance for European energy security. The report cited the Iran war and major supply disruptions as factors bolstering the case for reliable supply from stable nations.

Meanwhile, in the Williston Basin, operators continue to focus on capital efficiency and shareholder returns. According to a summary from Yahoo Finance published August 21, TXO Partners (NYSE:TXO) is positioning itself as a "production and distribution company" focused on generating cash distributions. The company, with assets in the Permian and San Juan basins, is also active in the Williston, where it noted drilling gains momentum as it eyes higher distributions for 2027.

The Bakken formation remains a critical domestic source of oil production. The recent uptick in rig activity, holding well above last month's levels, reflects a broader industry context where secure hydrocarbon supply is being re-evaluated globally, even as operators maintain a disciplined approach to capital deployment.