Bakken Rig Count Jumps to 26 as Hess Adds Three Drills

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's Bakken formation rose to 26 on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, marking a net gain of three rigs from the previous day. According to live rig data, no rigs were taken offline, while two rigs were reported to have moved to new locations within the play.

The day's activity was dominated by Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC, which added three new rigs to the field. All three rigs, identified as ENSIGN 532, are operating at the same location: 154-93-8 in Mountrail County. The data also shows two rigs changing locations. Oasis Petroleum North America LLC moved its PATTERSON 808 rig to 152-102-21 in McKenzie County, while Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. relocated its NABORS X25 rig to 157-91-16 in Mountrail County.

The current count of 26 rigs continues a recent upward trend in drilling activity across the Williston Basin. Compared to one week ago, on May 6, 2026, the active rig count has increased by three, from 23. The count is also up by four rigs from the level seen one month ago on April 13, 2026, when 22 rigs were active.

The concentration of new activity by a single major operator like Hess underscores the continued focus by large, well-capitalized companies on core Bakken acreage. Mountrail County, where Hess added all three new rigs and Slawson moved a rig, remains a top-tier area for development due to its high-producing geology.

The movement of rigs by operators such as Oasis and Slawson is a routine part of field operations, as companies shift equipment to drill new wells on their permitted locations. This sustained level of activity, with a steady climb over the past month, suggests operators are maintaining a consistent pace of development.

In broader industry news, ExxonMobil fought off calls by the New York City Comptroller's Office and proxy advisory firm Glass Lewis for shareholders to vote down a proposal related to its corporate move to Texas, according to a report from Rigzone. While not directly related to Bakken drilling, such corporate governance decisions can reflect the strategic posture of major energy companies operating in multiple basins, including the Williston.

The rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production in North Dakota. The current level of 26 rigs, if sustained, would support a steady level of new well completions in the coming months.