North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 29 After Single Rig Release

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged at 29 on Thursday, August 6, despite one rig being released from a wellsite. According to live rig data, there were no new rigs added and no rigs moved to new locations.

The sole rig removed from the tally was the NABORS B27, operated by Silver Hill Energy Operating, LLC. The rig was released from location 157-97-35 in Williams County.

While flat for the day, the current rig activity level represents an increase from recent historical benchmarks. The count is up by two rigs compared to one week ago, on July 30, 2026, when 27 rigs were active. The gain is more pronounced over the past month, with five more rigs working now than on July 7, 2026, when the state reported 24 active drilling units.

The stability in the rig count comes as operators in the Bakken formation and wider Williston Basin continue to manage capital programs amid fluctuating commodity prices. The rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production in the state, which is a top-three U.S. oil producer.

The release of a Silver Hill Energy rig highlights the routine adjustments individual operators make to their drilling schedules. Such single-rig movements are common and do not necessarily indicate a broader shift in strategy without a pattern developing over time.

The current level of 29 rigs reflects a measured pace of drilling activity. At this count, the industry maintains a base level of operations necessary to offset natural production declines from existing wells while managing capital expenditure.

The focus for many Bakken operators remains on drilling efficiency and completing wells in the most productive core areas of the play. The rig count trend over the past month suggests a modest uptick in activity, though it remains well below the historical peaks seen in previous boom cycles.

Market observers will monitor whether the rig count can sustain or build upon the five-rig gain achieved over the last month, as it will influence North Dakota's oil output figures for the latter part of 2026.