North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 32 for Second Consecutive Day
The state's active drilling fleet remains down by two rigs from its level a week and a month ago, indicating a stable but reduced level of activity.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged at 32 on Sunday, September 20, 2026, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The data showed no new rigs added, no rigs removed, and no rigs moving location since the previous day.
The current count of 32 rigs represents a decrease of two from the total of 34 active rigs recorded one week ago, on September 13. Compared to the level seen one month ago, on August 21, the rig count is also down by two, having held at 34 at that time.
The stability in the daily count, coupled with the slight two-rig decline over the past month, suggests a period of consolidation for operators in the Williston Basin. After a period of gradual increases earlier in the year, activity levels have settled into a range that reflects current commodity prices, capital discipline, and the focus on developing high-graded drilling inventories.
A rig count in the low 30s is consistent with a maintenance-level of activity for the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. At this pace, operators can efficiently hold leases and sustain production from existing assets without aggressively expanding drilling programs. The lack of day-to-day movement in the tally often indicates that major operators have not initiated large, multi-rig campaigns or made significant adjustments to their near-term plans.
The historical context shows the rig count has retreated from recent peaks but has found a floor, avoiding more precipitous declines seen during past market downturns. The current level supports ongoing well completions and contributes to the state's steady crude oil production, which has remained above 1 million barrels per day for an extended period.
For royalty owners and service companies, a steady rig count provides predictable, if not expansive, activity. The focus for many operators continues to be on drilling longer laterals and employing enhanced completion techniques to maximize the output and economic returns from each well drilled, rather than simply adding more rigs.
Market observers will watch for any shifts in the count in the coming weeks for signals of changing operator sentiment or responses to oil price movements.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data
