North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26 as Oil Prices Edge Higher

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 26 on Sunday, June 21, 2026, according to live Bakken Wire data. The count remains near historic lows for the shale play, a signal that production growth is likely constrained in the coming months.

The current rig count is a critical leading indicator for future oil output. Historically, a sustained increase in the rig count precedes a rise in production by several months, while a low or falling count typically leads to a plateau or decline. With the count remaining in the mid-20s, operators appear focused on capital discipline and harvesting cash flow from existing wells rather than aggressively expanding drilling programs.

Supporting the operational environment, oil prices showed modest gains. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude traded at $76.54 per barrel, up 0.91% or $0.69. The international benchmark Brent crude was at $80.59, a gain of $0.74 or 0.93%. The Bakken crude differential—the discount at which Bakken barrels trade versus WTI—was recorded at -$3.42.

The current price level, with Bakken netbacks around $73.12 after the differential, is generally considered workable for most operators but may not be high enough to trigger a significant ramp-up in drilling. Natural gas prices were recorded at $3.20 per MMBtu, providing a modest associated revenue stream for producers.

The sustained low rig activity, even amid stable prices, underscores a continued shift in strategy among Bakken operators. Companies are prioritizing efficiency, well completion optimization, and shareholder returns over volume growth. This trend has led to a production plateau in the state over recent years, with output fluctuations largely tied to the backlog of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) and the pace of completions.

For royalty owners and service companies, the static rig count suggests a stable but muted level of field activity in the near term. Without a significant and sustained increase in commodity prices or a shift in corporate spending plans, a sharp rebound in drilling is unlikely. Market attention will now turn to the next monthly production report from the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources to see if current completion activity can maintain output levels against the backdrop of high base decline rates from existing wells.