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North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 25 After One Rig Release - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 25 After One Rig Release

State's active drilling fleet remains stable week-over-week as national rig activity increases.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained at 25 on Friday, July 17, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The total was unchanged from Thursday's reported figure of 26, following the release of one rig with no new additions or location moves.

The single rig removed from the state's fleet was the NOBLE 4, operated by IRON OIL OPERATING, LLC. The rig was previously located at 154-89-9 in Mountrail County. The current count of 25 rigs represents a net increase of two from one week ago, when the state reported 23 active rigs. However, activity is down by two rigs compared to one month ago, when 27 rigs were active on June 17.

The stability in North Dakota contrasts with a broader uptick in U.S. drilling activity reported this week. According to data from Baker Hughes published Friday and reported by OilPrice.com, the total number of active drilling rigs for oil and gas in the United States rose to 588. This marks an increase of 44 rigs compared to the same time last year. The national number of active oil rigs specifically increased by seven this week to 452, which is 30 more than this time last year.

While the national rig count climbed, well completion activity showed a slight pullback. Primary Vision’s Frac Spread Count, an estimate of crews completing wells, fell by five in the week ending July 10 to 200 crews, according to the same OilPrice.com report.

The major U.S. oil basins showed mixed movements. The Permian Basin added three rigs this week to reach 259, though this count remains four rigs below its year-ago level. The Eagle Ford basin held steady at 47 rigs, which is six more than last year.

The drilling activity comes as oil prices posted strong gains. On Friday, Brent crude was trading at $87.65 per barrel, up 4.06%, while WTI was at $82.23, up 4.15%, according to OilPrice.com. The report also noted that weekly U.S. crude oil production averaged 13.861 million barrels per day for the week ending July 10, a slight increase from the prior week and up 486,000 bpd from a year ago.

The Bakken formation in North Dakota remains a key component of U.S. onshore production, though its rig activity has remained in a tight range in recent weeks, fluctuating between the low and mid-20s.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, OilPrice.com

rig countdrillingnorth dakotabakkeniron oil operatingproductionoil prices

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