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North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 34 Despite Three Rigs Released - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 34 Despite Three Rigs Released

Operators released three rigs and moved one, maintaining the state's activity level as the count remains up significantly from a month ago.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained unchanged at 34 on Thursday, August 27, despite the release of three rigs and a single rig relocation, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire.

Three rigs were released from service. Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. released the NABORS B6 rig from a location in McKenzie County (151-100-35). Continental Resources, Inc. released the PATTERSON 297 rig from Mountrail County (152-93-3). EOG Resources, Inc. released the H & P 259 rig, also from Mountrail County (157-90-31).

One rig changed locations. Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC moved the ENSIGN 532 rig to a new site in McKenzie County (149-100-30).

The unchanged total results from new rigs coming online to replace those released. The current count of 34 rigs matches the level reported one week ago on August 20. However, drilling activity has increased significantly over the past month, with the rig count up by 10 from the 24 active rigs reported on July 28.

The stability in the rig count comes as major pipeline operators elsewhere are planning for long-term infrastructure needs. In a related industry development, the owners of the 800-mile Trans Alaska Pipeline System are seeking to renew its federal land authorization more than seven years before it expires, according to a report from Rigzone.

For Bakken operators, maintaining a steady rig count near current levels is critical for sustaining oil production from the formation. The Williston Basin's activity is closely watched as a indicator of operator confidence and capital deployment in the region.

The released rigs are now available for other operators to contract, or for the same companies to potentially deploy at other locations. Rig movements and releases are a routine part of field operations as companies complete wells and shift capital to new drilling prospects.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone

rig countdrillingnorth dakotabakkenwilliston basinhessdevon energycontinental resourceseog resources

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