North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 23 Amid National Uptick, State EOR Push

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged at 23 on Monday, May 11, 2026, according to Bakken Wire live data. No rigs were added, removed, or moved location since the previous day.

The count has now held steady at 23 rigs for the past week, matching the level reported on May 4. Compared to a month ago, the state's active fleet is down by one rig from the 24 reported on April 11. This period of relative stability in drilling activity comes as state leaders launch a major new initiative aimed at the future of Bakken production.

According to Bing News, North Dakota leaders recently unveiled an enhanced oil recovery (EOR) plan targeting the Bakken formation. A separate report from the same source detailed that the initiative involves a $157 million push, with the U.S. Department of Energy providing $36 million in funding. The goal of the program is to increase oil recovery rates from the region's vast shale resources.

This state-level focus on maximizing existing resources contrasts with a modestly rising national rig count. Baker Hughes reported that the total number of active U.S. oil and gas drilling rigs rose by one to 548 for the week ending May 8, marking a third consecutive weekly increase, according to a Bing News summary.

The stable rig count in North Dakota suggests operators are maintaining a disciplined capital approach. With 23 rigs running, activity remains significantly below the historical peaks seen in the previous decade but is consistent with recent levels aimed at sustaining production.

The new state and federal EOR funding initiative could influence long-term development strategies for Bakken operators. By focusing on techniques like CO₂ injection to extract more oil from existing reservoirs, the program aims to improve project economics and extend the productive life of wells without necessarily requiring a surge in new drilling.

For royalty owners and service companies, the current rig activity indicates a sustained, baseline level of new well development. The concurrent launch of a significant recovery research program highlights a dual focus for the basin: steady drilling operations combined with technological investments to boost ultimate recovery from the billions of barrels already in place.