North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 30

North Dakota's active drilling rig count was unchanged on Thursday, August 13, 2026, holding steady at 30 units, according to live data from Bakken Wire. There were no new rigs added, none removed, and none that moved location since the prior day's report.

The current level represents a slight increase of one rig compared to the count of 29 active one week ago, on August 6, 2026. The more significant trend emerges over a longer period, with the state's active fleet showing a net gain of six rigs compared to one month ago, when 24 rigs were active on July 14, 2026.

A rig count of 30 in the core Bakken formation and Williston Basin indicates a stable, moderate pace of drilling activity. The count is a key leading indicator for future oil production in North Dakota, the nation's second-largest oil-producing state. The multi-week upward trend suggests operators are maintaining or slightly expanding drilling programs amid prevailing commodity prices and operational efficiencies.

The lack of daily movement—with no rigs added, removed, or relocated—is not uncommon and often reflects a brief operational pause between the completion of one well and the mobilization of a rig to a new pad site. The sustained increase from the July baseline, however, points to a measured commitment to development drilling by Bakken operators.

Drilling activity in the Bakken is closely watched by service companies, royalty owners, and local economies, as it drives employment, equipment demand, and future crude supply. The current rig count, while well below historical peaks seen in the early 2010s, aligns with an industry focused on capital discipline and generating free cash flow.

The stability in the rig count comes as operators continue to focus on core acreage, deploying advanced drilling and completion techniques to maximize recoveries from each well. The steady activity level supports ongoing production, which must be continually replenished due to the high initial decline rates typical of shale wells.