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North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 34 After Two Rigs Dropped - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 34 After Two Rigs Dropped

Hess and Phoenix each removed a rig, while Devon moved one, keeping the statewide total flat month-over-month.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained at 34 on Tuesday, October 13, despite two rigs being released from service, according to Bakken Wire live rig data. The net count was unchanged from the previous day as one rig was also relocated within the play.

Two rigs were removed from the field. Phoenix Operating LLC released the PATTERSON 280 rig from a location in Divide County (160-98-14). Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC released the NABORS X20 rig from a location in Williams County (156-98-3).

One rig changed location. Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. moved the NABORS B6 rig to a new site in McKenzie County (152-101-14).

The current activity level represents a slight decline over the past week. The rig count stood at 36 one week ago, on October 6, 2026, meaning the statewide fleet has decreased by two rigs in the last seven days.

Compared to one month ago, the drilling pace is identical. The active rig count on September 13, 2026, was also 34, indicating a stable, albeit historically moderate, level of drilling activity in the Bakken formation over the past 30 days.

The consistent rig count, even with daily churn, suggests operators are maintaining disciplined capital programs. The Williston Basin remains a core focus for many major operators, but activity levels are closely tied to commodity price volatility and operational efficiency gains. The movement of a Devon rig within McKenzie County, the formation's most active county, is a typical example of operators concentrating efforts in the highest-return areas.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data for October 13, 2026; historical context from Bakken Wire data for October 6 and September 13, 2026.

rig countdrillinghessdevon energyphoenix operatingmckenzie countywilliams countydivide county

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