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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

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