North Dakota active rigs at 37, unchanged from previous day

North Dakota's active oil and gas rig count stood at 37 on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, according to Bakken Wire live rig data. The count was unchanged from the previous day, with no new rigs reported and no rigs removed.

There were also no rigs that moved location during the day, leaving the state's active fleet at the same number of working rigs as the prior day. The absence of movement means the count reflects the same set of active rigs as the previous day, though the live data did not identify individual rigs or operators.

The flat daily reading comes after a modest weekly increase. One week ago, on Nov. 1, North Dakota had 36 active rigs, according to historical rig data. The count has therefore risen by one rig over the past seven days.

Over a longer stretch, the Bakken rig count has shown a slightly broader upward trend. One month ago, on Oct. 9, North Dakota had 34 active rigs. The current count of 37 is three rigs higher than that monthly comparison point.

For Bakken operators, a steady daily rig count can indicate a period in which crews are completing existing drilling or service operations rather than immediately adding or removing rigs. In North Dakota's oil fields, rig activity is often measured not only by the number of active rigs but also by how long each rig remains in the field and whether operators are moving rigs between locations. The Sunday data showed no movement between locations.

Rig counts are typically reported as a point-in-time measure of active drilling rigs. A day with no new rigs, no removed rigs and no moved rigs can still represent continued field activity, because rigs counted as active may be engaged in drilling or other well operations at their current locations.

The count is also a closely watched signal for royalty owners and communities across the Williston Basin. Active rigs support drilling programs that can bring new production online, while changes in the rig count may reflect operators' decisions about capital spending, lease operations and field development. The live data did not include operator-specific activity or company plans.

The Bakken formation remains North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and rig counts are a key indicator of drilling activity in the state's unconventional fields. The current 37-rig count places activity above the one-week and one-month comparison points, while showing no day-over-day expansion or contraction.

With no rigs added or removed since the previous day, the immediate trend is neutral. The weekly and monthly comparisons, however, show the active fleet has increased modestly since early November and early October.