North Dakota Rig Count Drops to 19, Lowest in Recent Weeks
The state's active drilling fleet fell by one as Devon Energy idled a rig in McKenzie County, continuing a downward trend.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count fell to 19 on Wednesday, April 15, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count decreased by one from the previous day with no new rigs added and none moving locations.
The single rig removed from the count was the NABORS B6, operated by Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. The rig had been located in McKenzie County at 152-101-26. The departure continues a recent contraction in drilling activity across the Bakken formation.
The current fleet of 19 rigs represents a significant decline from recent weeks. According to historical data, the active rig count stood at 24 just one week ago on April 8, marking a net loss of five rigs over the past seven days. Compared to two weeks ago on April 1, when 23 rigs were active, the count is down by four.
The continued slide in drilling activity occurs amid a major infrastructure development for the region. In a separate announcement Wednesday, President Donald Trump granted authorization to the Bakken Pipeline Company to construct and maintain new pipeline facilities in Burke County, North Dakota. According to a White House memorandum reported by Devdiscourse, the initiative aims to enhance the transportation of crude oil and petroleum products across the U.S.-Canada border.
This federal approval for expanded pipeline capacity could provide a long-term boost for Bakken operators by improving market access for crude oil. However, the immediate trend shows a tightening of capital expenditure on new drilling. The consistent week-over-week decline suggests operators are pulling back on adding new wells, potentially focusing on completing drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) or high-grading their remaining inventory.
McKenzie County, where the Devon Energy rig was released, remains the core of the Bakken play. The reduction in active rigs there indicates even the most productive areas are seeing a moderation in development pace. The overall rig count is a key leading indicator for future oil production in North Dakota, and a sustained lower count typically precedes a plateau or decline in output several months later.
The combination of near-term drilling softness and long-term infrastructure expansion paints a mixed picture for the Williston Basin. While the federal pipeline approval addresses a perennial bottleneck for Bakken crude, the current capital discipline among operators is keeping drilling activity at a subdued level.
Source
Bakken Wire live rig data, Bakken Wire historical context, Devdiscourse article "Trump Greenlights Bakken Pipeline Expansion" published April 15, 2026.
