Bakken Rig Count Stalls at 23, Stability Persists for a Month

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's Bakken formation held steady at 23 on Monday, May 4, 2026, according to Bakken Wire's live rig data. The daily report showed no new rigs added, no rigs removed, and no rigs that moved location since Sunday.

This current count represents a prolonged period of stability for Bakken drilling activity. The data shows the rig count was also 23 one week ago, on April 27, 2026, and one month ago, on April 4, 2026, indicating no net change over these periods.

A rig count of 23 is considered moderate for the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. The count is significantly lower than the peak activity seen during previous boom cycles but reflects a sustained, baseline level of operational investment by oil and gas companies in the state.

The consistent rig count suggests operators are maintaining a steady capital expenditure program for new wells, likely focused on core areas of the Williston Basin with the highest productivity. This stability often correlates with stable or moderately growing crude oil production volumes from the state, as new wells drilled by these rigs offset natural declines from older wells.

For royalty owners and service companies, a flat rig count provides a predictable environment for revenue and activity planning. No significant uptick or downturn in drilling operations is indicated by the recent data.

Longer-term, the Bakken rig count is a key indicator of industry confidence and responds to factors including crude oil prices, access to capital, and regional operating costs. The current plateau may reflect a balanced view of these market conditions by Bakken operators.

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