North Dakota Rig Count Drops to 29, Down 5 in Past Month

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota fell by one this week to 29, according to live rig data monitored by Bakken Wire. The count has declined by three rigs over the past week and by five rigs compared to one month ago.

The sole rig removed from the count was the NABORS B 12, operated by Iron Oil Operating, LLC. The rig was working at location 154-89-34 in Mountrail County. No new rigs were added, and no rigs were reported as having moved locations since the previous report.

The current tally of 29 rigs represents the lowest level observed in the recent historical data provided. On September 19, 2026, the state reported 32 active rigs. A month earlier, on August 27, 2026, the count stood at 34 rigs.

A declining rig count is a closely watched indicator of near-term drilling activity and capital expenditure in the Bakken formation. Fewer rigs typically signal a slowdown in new well development, which can affect future oil production volumes, service company demand, and state tax revenue.

The gradual reduction over the past month suggests operators may be adjusting their drilling programs in response to factors such as commodity price volatility, capital discipline, or seasonal operations. Mountrail County, where the rig was released, is a core part of the Bakken play.

While a single rig change is a minor fluctuation, the consistent downward trend over the past four weeks points to a broader cooling in the pace of drilling. The Bakken formation remains North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and rig activity is a key metric for the health of the state's energy economy.

Industry analysts monitor these figures alongside oil prices and well productivity to forecast production trends. The current rig level will be a factor in determining whether Bakken crude output can be sustained or grown in the coming quarters.