Continental Resources to Resume Drilling in North Dakota

Continental Resources Inc. plans to resume drilling for oil in North Dakota this year, according to a report from Bing News. The company, a leading producer in the state, had paused adding new wells because of low oil prices.

The decision signals a potential shift in sentiment among major operators in the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. Drilling activity is a key indicator of industry health and directly impacts service companies, employment, and state tax revenue.

While the Bing News summary did not specify a precise start date or the number of planned rigs, the announcement marks a reversal from a period of capital discipline. Operators across the basin have frequently curtailed drilling programs in response to volatile commodity prices to protect cash flow and shareholder returns.

For other Bakken operators, Continental's move may reflect improving confidence in the oil price outlook necessary to justify new investments. A resumption of drilling by a major player can increase competition for oilfield services and labor in the Williston Basin.

The development is also positive news for North Dakota royalty owners, as new drilling activity would create future production and royalty payments. The state's oil output has historically been sensitive to changes in drilling tempo.

The report, sourced from MSN, was published on Friday, May 22, 2026. Continental Resources has not publicly detailed the scope of its planned return to drilling.