North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 27 Amid Federal Land Policy News
The state's active drilling fleet remains unchanged from Friday, sustaining recent gains compared to one-week and one-month-ago levels.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count was unchanged on Sunday, holding at 27, according to live data from Bakken Wire. No rigs were added, removed, or moved location since the previous day.
The current fleet represents a significant increase from activity levels seen just one week ago. On July 26, 2026, the state reported 23 active rigs, marking a four-rig gain over the past seven days. Compared to one month ago, on July 3, 2026, the count is also up by two rigs from a base of 25.
The steady activity comes as federal land policy, which impacts some operators in the Bakken region, has been in the news. According to a July 31 report from Rigzone, industry groups welcomed the Senate Natural Resources Committee's approval of the License to Drill Act. Dan Naatz, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), stated that 'S.5039 reauthorizes a long-standing policy that is an important framework for federal land producers'.
Rig count is a primary indicator of future oil production activity in the Williston Basin. The Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. A stable or rising count suggests operators are continuing to invest in new well development.
The recent uptick from 23 to 27 rigs over a week suggests a potential near-term increase in drilling permits and well spuds. However, day-to-day counts can be volatile due to rig moves, contract completions, and maintenance schedules.
Longer-term trends are often viewed as more significant than single-day movements. The sustained level above 25 rigs indicates maintained capital deployment by exploration and production companies active in the state.
Federal policies affecting drilling on public lands can influence operator planning in certain areas of the Bakken. The reauthorization of established regulatory frameworks, as noted in the recent legislative news, is typically viewed by the industry as providing regulatory certainty.
Market conditions for crude oil, natural gas prices, and available capital for producers are the dominant factors driving rig activity. The current count will be closely watched in the coming week for signs of whether the recent increase is sustained or if activity plateaus.
Source
Bakken Wire live rig data, historical context from Bakken Wire archives, Rigzone report from July 31, 2026.
