North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26, Down Four from May
Drilling activity in the Bakken remains stable but below levels seen a month ago, as global offshore labor unrest continues.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged on Monday, June 29, holding steady at 26, according to live data from Bakken Wire. There were no new rigs added, none removed, and no rigs moved location since the previous report.
The current count represents a decline of one rig from one week ago, when 27 rigs were active on June 22. The drop is more pronounced compared to one month ago, as the state's active fleet has fallen by four rigs since May 30, when 30 rigs were active.
The stability in the Bakken contrasts with rising labor tensions in another major oil-producing region. According to a report from Rigzone, the Norwegian Union of Energy Workers has sent notice that an additional 63 members will join hundreds already on strike offshore Norway. The action comes after government mediation failed to yield a new Well Service Agreement.
While the Norwegian strike involves offshore well service workers and does not directly impact onshore Bakken operations, it highlights ongoing global supply chain and labor pressures within the oilfield services sector. In North Dakota, the rig count is a key leading indicator for future oil production from the Bakken formation and the broader Williston Basin.
The current level of 26 active rigs provides a snapshot of ongoing drilling commitments by operators in the state. The sequential decline over the past month suggests some moderation in near-term drilling activity, though the unchanged daily figure indicates a period of stability at the current level.
Source
Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone
