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, 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

Share this article

PostShareShareEmail

Related Articles

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 After Three Rigs Dropped - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 After Three Rigs Dropped

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 33 on Wednesday, October 7, despite three rigs being released by operators, according to live rig data. The net count was unchanged from one week ago on September 30. Three rigs were released from service on Wednesday. Hunt Oil Company released the T&S Drilling 1 rig from a location in Burke County (159-90-33). Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. released the Noble 4 rig from Dunn County (149-91-18). XTO Energy Inc. released the H & P 429 rig from McKenzie County (153-96-3). No rigs were reported as moving to new locations. The current count of 33 rigs represents a decrease of two rigs from the level seen one month ago on September 7, when 35 rigs were active. The stability over the past week suggests a period of equilibrium in drilling activity, with new rigs being added to replace those...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 7
North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 36, Up Three Over Past Week - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 36, Up Three Over Past Week

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 36 on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The data showed no new rigs added, none removed, and no rigs moving location since the prior day. The current count represents a gain of three rigs compared to one week ago, when the state reported 33 active rigs on September 30, 2026. Compared to one month ago, activity is up by one rig from the 35 rigs reported on September 7. A rig count in the mid-30s is consistent with the operational tempo seen in the Bakken formation over recent years, as producers focus capital discipline and efficiency gains in the mature shale play. The stability in the count suggests operators are maintaining, but not aggressively expanding, their drilling programs as of early October. The Williston Basin, home to the Bakken and Three Forks formations, remains...

☀️Morning Wire·Oct 7
North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 36; Zavanna Adds New Williams County Rig - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 36; Zavanna Adds New Williams County Rig

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota increased by one to 36 on Tuesday, October 6, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The gain marks a continuation of recent activity increases in the Williston Basin. The sole addition was a rig operated by Zavanna Energy Operating, LLC. The company spud the NABORS X28 rig at a well location in Williams County (Section 3, Township 153N, Range 99W). No rigs were removed from service or moved to new locations within the state on Tuesday, resulting in the net gain of one. The current rig count of 36 represents a significant weekly increase. One week ago, on September 29, 2026, the state reported 30 active rigs, meaning the fleet has grown by six units over the past seven days. Compared to one month ago, activity is also up marginally. On September 6, 2026, the state's rig count stood at...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 6