North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 28 for Second Consecutive Day

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota was unchanged at 28 on Tuesday, June 16, according to live data from Bakken Wire. No new rigs were added, none were removed, and none moved location from the previous day.

This steady count follows a one-rig increase reported last week. The current level of 28 rigs represents an increase of one rig compared to one week ago, on June 9, when 27 rigs were active.

The broader trend shows a more significant rebound in drilling activity over the past month. The current rig count is up by six rigs, or 27%, from the level of 22 active rigs recorded on May 17.

The Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and the rig count is a key leading indicator of future production activity and capital investment by operators. The sustained increase from May suggests operators are maintaining drilling programs amid stable market conditions.

A higher rig count typically signals that producers are confident enough in commodity prices and operational efficiencies to commit capital to new wells. The current level, while significantly higher than a month ago, remains well below historical peaks seen during previous boom cycles, indicating a continued focus on capital discipline.

The stability at the 28-rig level, after recent gains, will be closely watched by service companies, royalty owners, and local economies in the Williston Basin. Steady activity supports employment and supply chain demand across the region.

Further increases in the rig count would be necessary to materially alter the state's production trajectory, which has been relatively flat in recent months. The Department of Mineral Resources typically reports production data on a one-to-two-month lag.

Market analysts monitor the rig count alongside well completion data and well productivity metrics to forecast future Bakken output. The current trend suggests a modest uptick in future production if the pace of activity is maintained.