North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 27 Amid Federal Policy News
The state's active drilling rigs remain unchanged for a second consecutive day, continuing a steady rise from recent weeks.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 27 on Saturday, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The tally showed no new rigs added, no rigs removed, and no rigs moving location since yesterday's report.
The current count of 27 represents a significant weekly gain, up four rigs from the 23 active rigs reported on July 25, 2026. It also marks a two-rig increase compared to the 25 rigs active one month ago on July 2, 2026.
The steady activity level in the Williston Basin follows recent federal policy developments that industry groups say are crucial for operators on public lands. On Friday, industry groups welcomed the Senate Natural Resources Committee's approval of the License to Drill Act, according to a report from Rigzone. The legislation, S.5039, reauthorizes a long-standing policy that provides a framework for federal land producers.
Dan Naatz, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), stated that the act "reauthorizes a long-standing policy that is an important framework for federal land producers," Rigzone reported. While not all Bakken drilling occurs on federal land, regulatory certainty on federal acreage can influence overall operator planning and capital allocation in the region.
The rig count is a leading indicator of future oil production in the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. The recent uptick from 23 to 27 active rigs over the past week suggests operators may be positioning for increased activity, though the count remains subject to commodity price fluctuations and operational decisions by individual companies.
A stable or rising rig count typically signals confidence among exploration and production companies in the economic viability of drilling new wells. The current level of 27 rigs provides a snapshot of the immediate drilling workload across the state's oil fields.
The License to Drill Act's progression through Congress could be seen as a supportive signal for the sector. The industry's endorsement of the policy, as reported by Rigzone, highlights the importance of predictable regulatory frameworks for sustaining drilling programs.
Bakken Wire will continue to monitor daily rig movements and provide updates on operational trends affecting North Dakota's oil and gas industry.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data, Rigzone
