North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33, Down Two Rigs Over Past Month
The state's active drilling fleet remains stable day-to-day but reflects a slight decline from levels seen earlier in the fall.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 33 on Friday, November 13, 2026, with no changes reported from the previous day, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire.
The figure represents a continuation of recent stability, but it remains down from levels seen earlier in the fall. The current count of 33 rigs is down by two from the total of 35 active rigs reported one week ago on November 6, 2026.
Looking back over the past month, the rig count shows a similar modest decline. The state also reported 35 active rigs one month ago on October 14, 2026, indicating a net decrease of two rigs over that four-week period.
The Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, relies on sustained drilling activity to offset the steep initial decline rates of shale wells and maintain overall production. Rig counts are a closely watched leading indicator of future oil output and capital expenditure by operators in the Williston Basin.
A rig count in the low-30s is consistent with the disciplined capital spending approach that has characterized the U.S. shale industry in recent years, with public operators prioritizing shareholder returns over aggressive volume growth. The current level suggests operators are maintaining a focus on core acreage and drilling efficiency.
The stability in the day-to-day count, with no rigs added, removed, or moved in the latest report, indicates no significant immediate shifts in drilling plans among major Bakken operators. However, the two-rig decline over the past month could reflect the completion of drilling programs, routine rig maintenance, or minor adjustments to capital plans ahead of year-end.
The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources will release its next official monthly production data, which lags the rig count, in the coming weeks. Analysts will watch to see if the slight dip in drilling activity begins to translate into a flattening or decline in the state's oil output, which has been hovering near recent highs.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data
