North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 24 as Activity Shifts

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's oil fields held steady at 24 on Thursday, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count reflects a net change of zero from the previous day, masking a series of individual rig movements across the Williston Basin.

One new rig commenced operations, while one was released and another was moved to a new location. Oasis Petroleum North America LLC spudded a new well using the NOBLE 4 rig in Mountrail County at location 157-93-13. This addition was offset by the departure of Formentera Operations, LLC's NABORS B23 rig from Divide County location 162-95-23.

In a separate move, Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC relocated its ENSIGN 532 drilling rig to a new site in Williams County at 156-97-3. Rig moves are a routine part of field development as operators complete wells at one pad and mobilize equipment to the next planned location.

The current activity level represents a slight increase from one week ago, when the state reported 23 active rigs. The broader trend shows a more significant uptick from a month prior; on April 14, 2026, the rig count stood at 20, meaning four additional rigs have been added over the past 30 days.

The stability in the rig count occurs amid a period of measured growth for the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. Operators closely manage capital spending and drilling programs in response to commodity prices and operational efficiency targets. The movement of rigs between counties, as seen today with activity in Mountrail, Williams, and Divide, indicates ongoing development across the core of the play.

Rig count is a leading indicator of future oil production, as new wells take time to drill, complete, and tie into pipelines. A count in the mid-20s has been typical for the basin in recent years, reflecting a focus on capital discipline and generating free cash flow. The consistent addition of rigs over the past month suggests operators are maintaining or slightly expanding development plans.