North Dakota Bakken Rig Count Steady at 22
One rig was removed and another moved as drilling activity remains unchanged for the past week.
The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's Bakken formation held steady at 22 on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, according to Bakken Wire live data. The count saw no net change from the previous day, but included one rig removal and one rig relocation.
Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C removed its rig, NABORS B 13, from location 155-102-34 in Williams County. Meanwhile, Oasis Petroleum North America LLC moved its Patterson 286 rig to a new location, 156-101-7, also in Williams County.
The current rig count of 22 represents no change from the level recorded one week ago on April 21, 2026. Compared to the start of the month, activity has dipped slightly; the count stood at 23 active rigs on April 1, 2026, meaning the basin has seen a net reduction of one rig over the past 27 days.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, remains a focus for energy markets. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that not all mines placed by Iran in the strait need to be removed for ships to resume transiting the passageway, Rigzone reported on Tuesday. While geographically distant, developments affecting major shipping lanes can influence global oil prices and sentiment, which indirectly impact drilling economics in basins like the Bakken.
The stability in the local rig count suggests operators are maintaining a consistent, measured level of drilling activity. Williams County continues to be the center of operations, hosting both the removed and relocated rigs mentioned in today's report.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data, Rigzone
