North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 23 as Devon Adds New McKenzie County Rig
The state's active drilling fleet remains steady week-over-week and month-over-month, with one new rig reported in the core Bakken county.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count held at 23 on Wednesday, April 29, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The total reflects a net increase of one rig from the previous day, with no rigs removed or relocated.
The sole addition was a rig operated by Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. The NABORS B 13 rig was reported at a location in McKenzie County (150-99-11). This activity underscores the continued focus on the core Bakken formation, where McKenzie County has historically been a top producer.
The current rig count of 23 represents a slight increase from one week prior, when the state reported 22 active rigs on April 22. Compared to the level seen 28 days ago on April 1, the count is unchanged, indicating a period of stability for drilling activity in the Williston Basin.
The steady rig count in North Dakota persists against a backdrop of continued global supply concerns stemming from the closure of a key maritime chokepoint. According to a report from Rigzone, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Tuesday that not all mines placed by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz need to be cleared for shipping to resume. "You just need a pathway for ships to be moved in and out," Wright said, suggesting the process could happen quickly.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed since late February, disrupting roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and gas transit and spiking global prices. A senior U.S. Defense Department official reportedly said last week that fully clearing the strait of mines could take six months. The prolonged disruption has contributed to a historic energy supply shock and rising fuel prices in the United States.
Secretary Wright, in a separate interview, also said the U.S. plans to announce "historic" pipeline agreements aimed at increasing exports of U.S. oil and natural gas to Europe. For Bakken operators, sustained higher global prices supported by supply constraints can improve the economics of drilling, even as local activity levels remain measured.
The stability in North Dakota's rig count suggests operators are maintaining a disciplined capital approach despite volatile global markets. The focus remains on core, high-productivity areas like McKenzie County, where Devon Energy's new rig was deployed.
Source
Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone
