North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 25 for Second Consecutive Week

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's Bakken formation held steady at 25 on Thursday, July 9, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count showed no daily movement, with zero new rigs added, zero rigs removed, and no rigs changing location.

This marks the second consecutive week of stability in the state's drilling activity. The rig count one week ago, on July 2, 2026, was also 25. However, the current level represents a slight pullback from activity seen a month prior; on June 9, 2026, 27 rigs were active, indicating a net decrease of two rigs over the past month.

The static rig count reflects a continued period of capital discipline among Bakken operators, who are focusing on efficiency and shareholder returns amidst moderate commodity prices. The current level is significantly below the boom-era peaks but aligns with a sustained, steady production profile for the prolific Williston Basin.

In broader industry news, the integration of advanced technology to improve operational efficiency remains a key theme. According to a report from OilPrice.com, analysts at Citi highlighted that "physical AI" is transitioning from proof-of-concept to commercial deployment. While scaling robotics presents challenges like data scarcity and high deployment costs, firms are targeting specific labor bottlenecks. Citi noted potential beneficiaries include industrial automation companies like Rockwell Automation, Emerson Electric, and Honeywell. For oilfield service providers and operators, the trend toward automation and Robotics-as-a-Service models could signal a longer-term path to reducing drilling and completion costs while mitigating labor shortages.

Meanwhile, global focus on carbon management continues to drive activity in related subsurface sectors. Rigzone reported that INPEX, along with partner Kanto Natural Gas Development, began drilling an appraisal well on July 9 for a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project designed to serve industrial emitters in Japan's Greater Tokyo Area. While this project is not in the Bakken, it underscores the expanding application of drilling and subsurface expertise for CCS, a technology that could eventually play a role in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries, including elements of oil and gas production.

The stability in North Dakota's rig count suggests operators are executing planned drilling programs without significant deviation. Market watchers will monitor upcoming quarterly earnings reports for any shifts in 2026 capital expenditure guidance that could influence the pace of drilling activity in the second half of the year.