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North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26, Activity Shifts to Mountrail County - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26, Activity Shifts to Mountrail County

The state's active drilling fleet saw a net change of zero after one addition and one removal, while two rigs relocated within the Mountrail County core.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota's oil fields was unchanged on Thursday, holding at 26, according to live data tracked by Bakken Wire. The total reflects a day of balanced activity, with one new rig starting operations and another being released.

Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. added the sole new rig, the PRONGHORN 7, to a location in McKenzie County (151-102-27). This was offset by the removal of Petro-Hunt, L.L.C.'s T&S DRILLING 2 rig from Billings County (144-98-17). The net effect kept the statewide count flat.

Drilling activity showed notable movement within the core of the Bakken formation. Two rigs changed locations, both moving to new sites in Mountrail County. Oasis Petroleum North America LLC moved its NABORS B26 rig to a Mountrail County location (157-92-7). Separately, Iron Oil Operating, LLC relocated its NOBLE 4 rig to another Mountrail County site (154-89-9).

The current rig count of 26 represents a slight increase from one week ago, when the state reported 25 active rigs. However, activity remains down by one rig compared to the level seen one month ago on June 16, 2026, when 27 rigs were operational.

The stability in the rig count indicates a period of measured activity by Bakken operators. Mountrail County, a longstanding top-tier county for production, continues to attract drilling capital and equipment, as evidenced by the two rig moves into the area. The Williston Basin's core counties—Mountrail, McKenzie, and Dunn—typically host the majority of the state's active drilling fleet.

Rig count is a leading indicator of future oil production and a closely watched metric for service company demand, royalty owner income, and state tax revenue. The current level, while down from historical peaks, reflects a sustained focus on developing the Bakken and Three Forks formations.

TAGS: rig-count, drilling, Bakken, Williston Basin, Mountrail County, Devon Energy, Oasis Petroleum, Iron Oil, Petro-Hunt **

Source

** Bakken Wire Live Rig Data

** rig-countdrillingbakkenwilliston basinmountrail countydevon energyoasis petroleumiron oilpetro-hunt

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