North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 24 for Second Week

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged at 24 on Wednesday, July 29, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no daily movement, with zero rigs added, removed, or relocated since Tuesday.

This marks the second consecutive week of stability for the state's drilling activity. The rig count also stood at 24 one week ago, on July 22. However, the current level represents a slight decline from a month prior; on June 29, North Dakota reported 26 active rigs, meaning the fleet has contracted by two units over the past four weeks.

The steady local count comes as broader North American drilling activity shows modest growth. According to a report from Rigzone, North America added five rigs week-on-week in the latest Baker Hughes rotary rig count, published July 28. This indicates a regional addition streak is underway, even as the Bakken's footprint remains consistent.

Beyond regional trends, significant regulatory developments for oil and gas exploration are occurring internationally and domestically. In a major policy reversal, New Zealand granted its first oil and gas exploration license since a 2018 ban was enacted. According to Rigzone, Australia's EnZed Energy won the permit on July 29, following the government's decision last year to reverse the Ardern-era prohibition.

Meanwhile, in the United States, a federal regulatory proposal is facing pushback from states. Rigzone reported on July 28 that over a dozen states and the District of Columbia have protested a plan by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The proposed rulemaking aims to broaden the types of natural gas pipeline projects that can qualify for blanket construction and certification permits, which streamline the review process.

For Bakken operators, the stability in the rig count suggests a period of focused execution on existing drilling programs. The slight two-rig drop from the previous month's level may reflect routine adjustments to capital plans or efficiency gains, rather than a significant shift in strategy. The broader North American rig addition highlights continued, albeit cautious, investment in onshore production.

The international and domestic regulatory news underscores the evolving landscape for energy infrastructure and exploration rights. While New Zealand's move opens a new frontier, the opposition to FERC's plan illustrates ongoing tensions between federal streamlining efforts and state oversight, particularly for midstream projects crucial to bringing hydrocarbons to market.

North Dakota's Williston Basin remains the core of the state's oil production, which has been sustained by high-grading drilling inventory and technological improvements. The current rig count level is a key indicator for near-term future production from the formation.