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ND Rig Count Holds at 33 Amid Regional Declines - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

ND Rig Count Holds at 33 Amid Regional Declines

One rig added and one removed Monday, as broader North American drilling activity sees weekly contraction.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 33 on Monday, September 21, 2026, following a day of one-for-one rig movement in the northwest region, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire.

The net change was zero, with one new rig commencing operations and one rig being released. Phoenix Operating LLC activated the PATTERSON 268 rig in Divide County at location 160-98-22. Concurrently, FORMENTERA OPERATIONS, LLC released the NABORS B23 rig from its location at 161-97-16, also in Divide County. No rigs were reported to have moved between locations.

The state's current count of 33 active rigs represents a slight increase of one rig compared to one week ago, when the count stood at 32 on September 14. However, activity remains down by one rig from a month ago, when 34 rigs were active on August 22.

This local stability in North Dakota contrasts with a broader regional pullback in drilling activity. According to a report from Rigzone, North America as a whole dropped six rigs week-on-week, based on Baker Hughes' latest North America rotary rig count published Monday.

The Bakken formation, which spans western North Dakota and portions of Montana, is the primary oil-producing region in the state. Rig counts are a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production, with operators adjusting their drilling programs in response to commodity prices, operational efficiency, and inventory of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs).

The specific movements in Divide County highlight the ongoing, project-based nature of drilling in the Williston Basin. Operators routinely release rigs upon completion of a multi-well pad or specific drilling campaign, while other companies mobilize rigs to begin new development phases.

With the state count holding in the low-30s range, production levels are likely to remain relatively stable in the coming months, barring significant changes in price or operator strategy. The current activity level reflects a mature phase of development in the Bakken, focused on high-graded acreage and capital discipline.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone report on Baker Hughes North America rig count

rig countdrillingbakkenwilliston basindivide countyphoenix operating llcformentera operations llc

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