North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 34 After Weekly Gain

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 34 on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, according to the latest rig data. There were no rigs added, no rigs removed and no rigs that moved to a new location in the most recent daily count.

The flat day-over-day reading follows a modest weekly increase. A week earlier, on Oct. 7, North Dakota had 33 active rigs, meaning the count has risen by one rig over the past seven days. Compared with a month ago, on Sept. 14, the count has increased by two rigs from 32.

The comparison shows the count has risen over the week and month, but did not move in the latest daily report. The flat daily figure follows the one-rig gain from Oct. 7 and the two-rig gain from Sept. 14.

For Bakken operators and royalty owners, the current level suggests a drilling program that has continued to build gradually rather than expand sharply. The Williston Basin remains North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and rig counts are closely watched as a near-term indicator of activity, well development and future production.

No day-over-day rig movements were reported in the latest data. The absence of additions, removals or relocations indicates that the active rig base remained unchanged from the prior daily count. The count does not specify which rigs are drilling, completing or waiting for services, but it shows that the number of rigs reported active in North Dakota stayed at 34.

The one-rig weekly gain and two-rig monthly gain show a slow upward trend. Rig activity often reflects operators' capital allocation decisions, well inventories, service costs and expectations for oil prices. While the latest data does not identify operators or specific locations, the count gives a snapshot of the pace at which new wells are being drilled or completed.

For royalty owners, a stable-to-modestly-rising rig count can mean continued development on leases and a pipeline of wells that may eventually contribute to production. For service companies, active rigs are a key measure of workload and demand for crews, equipment and logistics.

The Bakken formation has long been the core of North Dakota's oil boom, and Williston Basin activity remains a central barometer for the state's petroleum sector. The current 34-rig count is above both the one-week and one-month levels, pointing to incremental growth rather than a sharp expansion.

The next daily rig count will show whether the count can extend the recent weekly and monthly gains or whether operators pause further additions.