North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 27, Up 4 from Month Ago

The number of rigs actively drilling for oil and gas in North Dakota held steady at 27 on Friday, according to live Bakken Wire data. There was no change from the previous day, with no new rigs added, none removed, and none moving locations.

The current count represents a decrease of three rigs from one week ago, when 30 were active on May 29. However, the pace of drilling has increased compared to a month prior, with four more rigs running than the 23 counted on May 6.

The recent volatility in rig activity comes as state officials promote the potential for a significant production resurgence in the Bakken formation. According to a report from Bing News, North Dakota officials argue that as much as 85% of the Bakken's oil resource remains trapped underground and could be targeted for a second boom through enhanced recovery techniques. These methods, which include injecting gases or water to increase reservoir pressure, are designed to extract a larger percentage of the original oil in place.

On the federal policy front, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the License to Drill Act on June 4, Rigzone reported. The legislation, which aims to streamline the federal permitting process for oil and gas drilling on public lands, still requires passage in the Senate and a signature from President Donald Trump to become law.

The steady rig count suggests operators are maintaining a cautious but consistent drilling program in the Williston Basin. The month-over-month gain indicates some renewed activity, though the weekly decline shows the count can be sensitive to short-term operational decisions and well completions.

For royalty owners and service companies, the focus on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) represents a long-term strategic shift. While primary drilling continues, the massive target of unrecovered oil highlighted by state officials points to a future where existing fields may be redeveloped with different technologies to extend their productive life and boost ultimate recovery.

The combination of state-level resource optimism and potential federal regulatory changes creates a mixed backdrop for Bakken operators. The immediate drilling tempo, as reflected in the rig count, remains a key indicator of current investment and activity levels in North Dakota's core oil-producing region.