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North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 23 as Operator Activity Churns - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 23 as Operator Activity Churns

XTO Energy adds a rig in Williams County as Oasis Petroleum drops one in Mountrail, maintaining a steady pace seen for over a month.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's oil fields remained unchanged Wednesday at 23, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count held steady as one new rig was added and one was removed.

XTO Energy Inc. added a new rig, the H & P 640, in Williams County's 154-96-13 section. Concurrently, Oasis Petroleum North America LLC removed its NOBLE 4 rig from the 157-93-13 section in Mountrail County. No rigs moved locations on Wednesday.

The current activity level represents a stable trend for the Williston Basin. The rig count of 23 is identical to the level reported one week ago on April 29, 2026, and one month ago on April 6, 2026.

This extended period of stability in the rig count suggests operators are maintaining a consistent, measured level of drilling activity. The Bakken formation remains North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and the rig count is a key leading indicator of future production.

While the overall count is unchanged, the daily churn between operators highlights ongoing strategic adjustments. The addition by XTO Energy, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, indicates continued investment in core areas like Williams County. The removal by Oasis Petroleum reflects the normal conclusion of drilling programs or shifts in capital allocation.

A steady rig count, particularly when sustained over several weeks, can signal a focus on capital discipline and efficiency among operators. It allows companies to hold production relatively flat while managing costs. The data does not indicate a broad expansion or contraction in drilling plans across the basin.

The focus for operators and service companies will be on maintaining efficiency and well productivity with this consistent level of activity. The next significant movement in the rig count will depend on commodity price signals, operator budgets, and seasonal factors.

Source

Bakken Wire Live Rig Data

rig countdrillingxto energyoasis petroleumwilliams countymountrail countybakken

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