Bakken Rig Count Holds Steady at 36

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged at 36 on Sunday, October 18, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no new rigs added, none removed, and none relocated from the previous day.

The current figure represents a sustained increase in drilling activity over recent weeks. One week ago, on October 11, the state reported 33 active rigs, meaning the fleet has grown by three rigs in the past seven days. Compared to one month ago (September 18), when the count stood at 32, activity is up by four rigs.

This period of elevated rig activity coincides with a renewed push by state officials and industry leaders to boost long-term Bakken oil production. According to a Yahoo Finance report from October 16, a coalition including oil industry leaders, state officials, and a U.S. senator is rallying support for the next phase of an oil field research project that could significantly impact North Dakota's output.

However, the broader drilling outlook contains mixed signals. A separate news report from October 15 highlighted that one major oil producer is planning to scale back its drilling operations within the Bakken, according to MSN. This planned contraction by a key operator suggests that the current rig count plateau may face downward pressure in the coming weeks, even as statewide initiatives aim to enhance production efficiency.

The prevailing trend of "fewer rigs, more oil" – where technological advancements and improved well designs allow operators to maintain or grow production with a smaller drilling fleet – remains a central theme in the basin. The steady rig count at 36, while higher than recent averages, is still far below the historical peaks seen in the early 2010s, underscoring the industry's focus on capital discipline and operational efficiency.

For Bakken operators and royalty owners, the stable rig count indicates a maintained level of investment and development activity in the near term. The juxtaposition of increased rigs over the past month against a major operator's planned pullback will be a key metric to watch, as it may signal shifting strategies among different companies working in the formation.