WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
BAKKEN WIRE
North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26 Amid Two New Permits, Two Moves - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26 Amid Two New Permits, Two Moves

The state's active drilling fleet remains steady compared to last month, with Devon Energy and Murex Petroleum adding new units.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged at 26 on Monday, July 13, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The stability follows a net gain of two new rigs and the relocation of two others.

Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C., and Murex Petroleum Corporation each permitted a new rig. Devon's "PRONGHORN 7" is slated for McKenzie County (151-102-27), while Murex's "H & P 515" is permitted in Williams County (157-95-29). Two rigs also changed locations: Iron Oil Operating, LLC moved its "NOBLE 4" rig to a site in Mountrail County (154-89-34), and Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC moved the "NABORS X-10" to another Mountrail County location (155-94-3).

The current count of 26 rigs represents a gain of three units compared to one week prior, on July 6, 2026, when 23 rigs were active. Compared to one month ago, on June 13, 2026, the rig count is unchanged, indicating a period of stability in drilling activity.

The steady rig count in North Dakota's Bakken formation comes amid broader global discussions on oil and gas development. According to a July 11 report from Rigzone, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol urged the European Union to reconsider its moratorium on drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic. Such policy debates can influence long-term investment and development strategies for major producing regions worldwide, including the Williston Basin.

The addition of new rigs by operators like Devon Energy and Murex Petroleum signals continued, targeted investment in the Bakken's core counties. Mountrail County, a historical center of activity, saw the movement of two existing rigs, reflecting ongoing optimization of drilling programs.

The Bakken formation remains North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and rig activity is a leading indicator of future production. The current stability in the rig count suggests operators are maintaining a consistent pace of development amid prevailing market conditions.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone

rig countdrillingbakkennorth dakotadevon energymurex petroleumhessiron oil operatingmckenzie countywilliams countymountrail county

Share this article

PostShareShareEmail

Related Articles

Bakken Rig Count Jumps to 36, Adding Four New Drilling Rigs - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

Bakken Rig Count Jumps to 36, Adding Four New Drilling Rigs

North Dakota's active drilling rig count rose to 36 on Monday, October 12, a net increase of three from the previous day, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The day saw four new rigs commence operations and one rig released. The new rigs added include Phoenix Operating LLC's T&S DRILLING 2 in Divide County (160-97-29), BURLINGTON RESOURCES OIL & GAS COMPANY LP's NABORS X8 in McKenzie County (151-96-7), and two in Williams County: SLAWSON EXPLORATION COMPANY, INC.'s NABORS X25 (154-104-36) and DEVON ENERGY WILLISTON, L.L.C.'s NOBLE 4 (152-104-3). The sole rig released was FORMENTERA OPERATIONS, LLC's NABORS B23 from Divide County (161-97-16). One rig changed location, with OASIS PETROLEUM NORTH AMERICA LLC moving its NABORS B26 rig to a new site in McKenzie County (152-102-19). The current count of 36 rigs represents a slight upward trend in the Bakken formation. The rig count is up by one compared to...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 12
ND Rig Count at 33 After No Day-Over-Day Changes - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

ND Rig Count at 33 After No Day-Over-Day Changes

North Dakota's active rig count stood at 33 on Monday, according to live rig data. The data showed no movement from the prior day. No new rigs were reported since Sunday, no rigs were removed and no rigs changed location, leaving the count unchanged at 33 active rigs. The flat day-over-day reading came after a week in which the count fell by two rigs. A week ago, on Oct. 5, North Dakota had 35 active rigs. The count is also one rig lower than it was a month ago. On Sept. 12, the state reported 34 active rigs. For Bakken operators, the unchanged Monday tally means the reported active rig base did not expand or contract over the latest day-to-day comparison. The week-over-week decline, however, shows the rig base remains below where it stood seven days earlier. For royalty owners and North Dakota energy communities, rig counts are closely watched...

☀️Morning Wire·Oct 12
North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33, Down 2 from Last Week - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33, Down 2 from Last Week

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged at 33 on Sunday, October 11, 2026, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The data showed no new rigs added, no rigs removed, and no rigs that moved location compared to the previous day. The current count represents a decrease of two rigs from the total of 35 active one week ago, on October 4. Compared to one month ago, when the state reported 34 active rigs on September 11, the fleet is down by one unit. The Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and the rig count is a closely watched leading indicator of future production activity and capital expenditure by operators. A stable or declining rig count can signal a period of capital discipline or a response to commodity price volatility. The recent dip from 35 to 33 rigs over a week suggests a minor pullback...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 11