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North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26, Down One from Last Week - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 26, Down One from Last Week

One rig released in Burke County as state's active drilling fleet shows little movement amid legal settlements over Dakota Access Pipeline protests.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained at 26 on Saturday, June 13, 2026, according to Bakken Wire live data. The total is down one rig from a week ago and up two rigs compared to a month ago.

One rig was released from the state's fleet since yesterday's report. The HUNT OIL COMPANY rig NABORS B21, which had been operating in Burke County at location 160-91-35, was removed. No new rigs were added, and no rigs were reported as moving to new locations.

The current count of 26 rigs represents a slight pullback from the 27 rigs active on June 6, 2026, but continues a period of relative stability for drilling activity in the Bakken formation. The count remains higher than the 24 rigs reported on May 14, 2026.

The steady rig count comes as North Dakota concludes a major legal chapter related to pipeline infrastructure. According to a Bing News report from June 11, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley announced a final settlement with the U.S. government in a lawsuit over the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) protests. The settlement marks the end of a long-running legal dispute stemming from the high-profile protests that occurred during the pipeline's construction.

The Dakota Access Pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure for moving Bakken crude oil to market. A Bing News summary from the same day listed the Wrigley DAPL settlements among the state's top stories.

While the rig activity report shows minor day-to-day fluctuations, the overall count suggests operators are maintaining a measured pace of development. The Williston Basin remains a primary focus for U.S. onshore oil production, with the Bakken formation being North Dakota's most prolific play. Rig counts are a leading indicator of future production activity and capital expenditure by exploration and production companies in the region.

The release of a single rig in Burke County, located in the northwestern part of the state, reflects routine adjustments to drilling programs. Operators frequently add and release rigs based on lease obligations, well completion schedules, and capital allocation plans.

Source

Bakken Wire Live Rig Data, Bing News (2026-06-11)

rig countdrilling activitybakkennorth dakotahunt oil companydakota access pipeline

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