North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 27, Down Three From Last Week

North Dakota's active drilling rig count was unchanged at 27 on Sunday, June 7, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The figure showed no daily movement, with zero new rigs added, zero removed, and none moving locations.

The current count represents a decline of three rigs from one week prior, when 30 rigs were active on May 31. However, the fleet has grown by four rigs compared to one month ago, when 23 rigs were operating on May 8.

The recent dip follows a period of growth and comes as state officials emphasize the long-term potential of the Bakken formation through advanced techniques. According to a report from Bing News, North Dakota is chasing a second Bakken boom through enhanced recovery. State officials argue that as much as 85% of the original oil in place remains trapped in the shale and could spark a new production boom.

This focus on extracting a larger portion of the resource may influence operator strategies and capital allocation in the Williston Basin, even as near-term rig activity fluctuates. The Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region.

A rig count in the high 20s reflects a stable, albeit measured, level of investment in new well development. The count is a key leading indicator for future oil production and service sector activity in the state.

The week-over-week decrease suggests some operators may have completed drilling programs or moved equipment. The month-over-month increase indicates a broader trend of moderately increasing activity earlier in the spring.

For royalty owners and service companies, the current rig level supports ongoing production but not rapid expansion. Market conditions, oil prices, and corporate drilling budgets will determine if the count moves higher to target the vast remaining resource cited by state officials.