North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 23 for Third Consecutive Week

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged at 23 on Saturday, May 2, 2026, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The tally showed no new rigs added, none removed, and no rigs moving location since the previous day.

This marks the third consecutive week the count has held precisely at 23 rigs. Data from one week ago, on April 25, 2026, also showed 23 active rigs. The stability extends back at least one month, with the count also at 23 on April 2, 2026.

The prolonged plateau suggests a period of capital discipline and operational consistency among Bakken operators. With no weekly or monthly fluctuation, companies appear to be executing a steady, measured drilling program focused on core acreage. The rig count is a key leading indicator for future oil production in the Williston Basin.

A rig count in the low 20s represents a fraction of the activity seen during the Bakken's boom periods but aligns with the industry's post-pandemic focus on shareholder returns and free cash flow over aggressive growth. Operators are likely prioritizing efficiency, drilling longer lateral wells, and completing drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) from existing inventories.

The static count may also reflect current commodity price environments and service cost stability, giving operators predictable economics for planning. With no rigs reported as moving location, existing operations are concentrated in the most productive areas of the formation, such as Dunn, McKenzie, Mountrail, and Williams counties.

For royalty owners and service companies, the unchanged metric suggests a stable near-term outlook for drilling and completion activity. However, the lack of growth in the rig fleet could signal a ceiling for near-term production increases unless significant gains in well productivity are achieved.

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources will monitor this activity level as it correlates to the state's monthly oil production, which has recently hovered around 1.3 million barrels per day. A sustained rig count at this level is typically necessary to offset the steep decline rates of shale wells and maintain production.