North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 29 Amid Sustained Downtrend

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 29 on Monday, September 28, with no rig additions or subtractions reported from the previous day, according to live state data.

However, the static daily figure masks a broader contraction in drilling activity over recent weeks. The current count of 29 rigs represents a decline of three rigs from the level of 32 recorded just one week ago, on September 21, 2026.

The longer-term trend shows an even sharper pullback. Compared to one month ago, when 36 rigs were actively drilling in the state on August 29, the current operational fleet is down by seven rigs. This sustained decline suggests a continued period of cautious capital deployment by Bakken operators.

A rig count in the high-20s reflects a stabilized but historically muted level of drilling activity for the Williston Basin, which has seen much higher activity in previous boom cycles. The rig count is a leading indicator of future oil production, as new wells must be drilled and completed to offset the steep natural decline rates typical of Bakken shale wells.

The steady drop in active rigs over the past month could signal a strategic shift among operators, potentially prioritizing free cash flow generation and shareholder returns over aggressive production growth. It may also reflect responses to recent volatility in commodity prices or operational challenges related to supply chains or permitting.

Without new rig deployments, the focus for many producers will remain on optimizing production from existing drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) and maximizing the efficiency of the current drilling fleet. The flat daily count indicates a period of assessment, as companies evaluate their budgets and operational plans for the coming quarters.

For royalty owners and service companies dependent on drilling activity, the continued lower rig count points to sustained pressure on the well service sector and a slower pace of new leasehold development. The trend underscores the ongoing capital discipline that has characterized the shale industry in recent years, even as global demand for oil remains robust.