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BAKKEN WIRE
Bakken Rig Count Unchanged at 22; US Total Gains - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Unchanged at 22; US Total Gains

North Dakota's drilling activity remains steady as broader US rig count rises by three units this week.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 22 for Saturday, May 16, according to Bakken Wire's live rig data. There were no new rig additions, removals, or location moves reported since yesterday.

The current count is down one rig from the level of 23 active units recorded one week ago on May 9. Compared to one month ago on April 16, the count is unchanged.

While activity in the Bakken formation remains flat, the broader U.S. drilling landscape showed modest growth this week. According to Baker Hughes data for the week ended May 15, 2026, published by Bing News, the total U.S. rig count increased by 3 units to reach 551 rigs running. The week's gains were driven by oil-directed rigs, which rose by 5 to 415. Gas-directed rigs fell by 1 to 128.

On a year-over-year basis, the U.S. count is down 25 units from the 576 rigs working this time last year. State-level changes highlighted growth in major oil regions outside North Dakota. Texas saw the largest increase, adding 5 rigs to reach 245 active units. New Mexico, the nation's second-largest drilling region, added 1 rig to reach 96. Oklahoma also posted a gain of 1 rig.

The ongoing geopolitical tensions following the United States-Israeli attack on Iran continue to impact global energy and commodity markets, which could influence long-term drilling economics. According to a report from OilPrice.com, the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has resulted in the worst oil disruption in history, according to the International Energy Agency. This has caused widespread fuel shortages and rationing.

The energy shortages have severely disrupted the fertilizer industry, as reported by OilPrice.com. Transport of fuels to produce inputs and fertilizer itself is significantly restricted. Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of fertilizer producer Yara, warned in early May that trade delays due to the war could cost up to 10 billion meals a week globally and hit the poorest countries hardest. He stated that up to half a million tons of nitrogen fertilizer are not being produced currently due to the situation.

Such broad supply chain disruptions for critical inputs like fuel and fertilizer could eventually affect agricultural and energy demand patterns, with potential implications for hydrocarbon production planning.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, Bing News (Baker Hughes rig count report), OilPrice.com

rig countdrillingnorth dakotabakkenbaker hughesoil productiongeopolitical risk

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