WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
BAKKEN WIRE
North Dakota Rig Count Drops to 27 with Four Rigs Released - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Drops to 27 with Four Rigs Released

Operators Koda, Hunt, Phoenix, and Whiting each removed a drilling rig from the Williston Basin on Thursday.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota fell to 27 on Thursday, June 4, as four rigs were released by operators. No new rigs were added and none moved locations, according to live rig data.

Four rigs were removed from operation. In Divide County, Koda Resources Operating, LLC released the STONEHAM 17 rig from location 160-102-13, and Hunt Oil Company released the T&S DRILLING 1 rig from 160-100-6. In McKenzie County, Phoenix Operating LLC released the PATTERSON 280 rig from 149-102-18, and Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation released the NOBLE 4 rig from 151-102-33.

The current count of 27 rigs represents a decrease of one from the total of 28 reported one week ago on May 28. However, activity remains higher than levels seen a month ago, showing an increase of four rigs from the 23 active on May 5.

The rig count is a closely watched indicator of near-term drilling activity and capital expenditure in the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. Fluctuations can reflect operator adjustments to oil price volatility, well inventory management, and seasonal factors.

The day's rig activity coincides with legislative developments in Washington. According to Rigzone, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the License to Drill Act on June 4. The bill, which would still need to pass the Senate and be signed by President Donald Trump to become law, could potentially impact the federal permitting environment for energy projects.

The release of rigs by four different operators across two core Bakken counties may indicate a routine rotation of equipment or a minor pullback in immediate drilling plans. Divide and McKenzie counties are both major contributors to the state's oil production.

The overall rig trend over the past month suggests a modestly higher level of operational activity compared to early May, despite the single-day decrease. Market participants monitor these figures for signals on future production trajectories and service sector demand in the Williston Basin.

Source

Bakken Wire Live Rig Data, Rigzone

rig countdrillingbakkenwilliston basinnorth dakotakoda resourceshunt oilphoenix operatingwhiting oil and gas

Share this article

PostShareShareEmail

Related Articles

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 After Three Rigs Dropped - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 After Three Rigs Dropped

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 33 on Wednesday, October 7, despite three rigs being released by operators, according to live rig data. The net count was unchanged from one week ago on September 30. Three rigs were released from service on Wednesday. Hunt Oil Company released the T&S Drilling 1 rig from a location in Burke County (159-90-33). Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. released the Noble 4 rig from Dunn County (149-91-18). XTO Energy Inc. released the H & P 429 rig from McKenzie County (153-96-3). No rigs were reported as moving to new locations. The current count of 33 rigs represents a decrease of two rigs from the level seen one month ago on September 7, when 35 rigs were active. The stability over the past week suggests a period of equilibrium in drilling activity, with new rigs being added to replace those...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 7
North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 36, Up Three Over Past Week - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 36, Up Three Over Past Week

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 36 on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The data showed no new rigs added, none removed, and no rigs moving location since the prior day. The current count represents a gain of three rigs compared to one week ago, when the state reported 33 active rigs on September 30, 2026. Compared to one month ago, activity is up by one rig from the 35 rigs reported on September 7. A rig count in the mid-30s is consistent with the operational tempo seen in the Bakken formation over recent years, as producers focus capital discipline and efficiency gains in the mature shale play. The stability in the count suggests operators are maintaining, but not aggressively expanding, their drilling programs as of early October. The Williston Basin, home to the Bakken and Three Forks formations, remains...

☀️Morning Wire·Oct 7
North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 36; Zavanna Adds New Williams County Rig - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 36; Zavanna Adds New Williams County Rig

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota increased by one to 36 on Tuesday, October 6, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The gain marks a continuation of recent activity increases in the Williston Basin. The sole addition was a rig operated by Zavanna Energy Operating, LLC. The company spud the NABORS X28 rig at a well location in Williams County (Section 3, Township 153N, Range 99W). No rigs were removed from service or moved to new locations within the state on Tuesday, resulting in the net gain of one. The current rig count of 36 represents a significant weekly increase. One week ago, on September 29, 2026, the state reported 30 active rigs, meaning the fleet has grown by six units over the past seven days. Compared to one month ago, activity is also up marginally. On September 6, 2026, the state's rig count stood at...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 6