North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 Amid Global Fuel Market Shifts

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 33 on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, according to live Bakken Wire data. The count showed no change from the previous day, with zero new rigs added, zero removed, and none moving location.

The current figure represents an increase of four rigs compared to one week ago, when the state reported 29 active rigs on August 11. The longer-term trend shows more significant growth, with the rig count up by eight from the 25 rigs reported one month ago on July 19.

The stability in drilling activity comes as global fuel markets experience significant shifts. According to a report from OilPrice.com, China boosted its fuel exports last month as domestic stockpiles swelled. Chinese refiners exported 4.65 million tons of refined products in July, a 6.7% increase from June, though exports were down 12.9% year-over-year.

A notable surge was seen in diesel exports, which totaled 810,000 tons in July—an 88% monthly increase. OilPrice.com reported this jump is due to a global squeeze on diesel stocks stemming from the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine. These July diesel export levels are on par with those from July 2025 and 50% higher than the average monthly volume so far this year.

The Chinese government has been relaxing fuel export curbs imposed in March following the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East. Gasoline exports in July, while down 55.3% year-over-year, saw a massive 320% increase from June. An easing of quotas announced earlier this month allows for 2.7 million tons of refined product exports through the end of August, with provisions to roll over unused volumes to September.

Analysts cited by OilPrice.com noted that China's abundant domestic stocks have helped mitigate a sharper spike in global oil prices amid the ongoing conflict. The influx of refined products, particularly diesel, onto the global market is a key factor for Bakken operators, as it influences crack spreads and refining economics for crude oil produced in the Williston Basin.

For North Dakota producers, the steady rig count suggests a cautious but consistent operational pace. The eight-rig gain over the past month indicates renewed, albeit measured, activity in the formation as operators respond to commodity prices and broader market signals. The stability at 33 rigs provides a baseline for production forecasts, with the increased global fuel supply from China representing a complex variable in the demand landscape for Bakken crude.