North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 19, Down Five from Last Week

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's oil fields was unchanged at 19 for Thursday, April 16, according to Bakken Wire's live rig data. The count showed no new additions, removals, or location moves from the previous day.

This steady state follows a significant drop in activity over the past week. The current rig count is down five from the 24 rigs reported one week ago on April 9, and down four from the 23 rigs active 15 days ago on April 1.

The recent pullback in drilling activity comes as the industry receives news of potential long-term infrastructure growth. On Tuesday, April 15, U.S. President Donald Trump approved a presidential permit for the Bakken Pipeline Company LP, a subsidiary of Enbridge, to construct and operate pipeline facilities at the U.S.-Canada border in Burke County, North Dakota, according to reports from Bing News and The Deep Dive. The permit aims to enhance crude oil transportation between the two nations.

This permit anchors Enbridge's broader expansion strategy. The company previously committed $1.4 billion to its Mainline Optimization project, which targets adding 150,000 barrels per day of capacity on its cross-Canada system, with another 100,000 barrels per day slated for the Flanagan South line to the U.S. Gulf Coast, The Deep Dive reported.

Looking further ahead, Enbridge has outlined a potential second phase that could utilize the existing Dakota Access Pipeline to add another 250,000 barrels per day of capacity from North Dakota to Illinois by 2028. The company's total planned expansions could move an additional 500,000 barrels per day over the next few years, which could reshape North American supply dynamics.

For Bakken operators, increased pipeline takeaway capacity to key markets like the U.S. Gulf Coast is a critical factor for future drilling plans. The recent rig count decline may reflect a cautious operational stance as the industry evaluates these long-term infrastructure developments against current market conditions.