North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 35 Amid National Increase

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota remained at 35 on Friday, September 11, 2026, according to Bakken Wire live data. The count showed no net change from the previous day, though one rig was removed and another moved locations.

Kraken Operating, LLC removed the T&S Drilling 1 rig from its location in Williams County (158-100-17). Separately, Murex Petroleum Corporation relocated the H & P 515 rig to a new Williams County location (157-95-29). The day's activity resulted in no new rigs being added.

The current Bakken rig fleet is one unit higher than it was one week ago on September 4, when the count stood at 34. The pace of activity has accelerated compared to a month ago; the state has added five rigs since August 12, when only 30 were active.

The local stability comes as the national oil-directed rig count posted a slight weekly gain. According to data from Baker Hughes published Friday and reported by OilPrice.com, the number of active oil rigs in the United States rose by one this week to 450. That figure is 34 rigs higher than the same time last year. The total U.S. rig count for oil and gas reached 591.

The broader drilling trend coincides with strong oil prices, though they retreated Friday. OilPrice.com reported Brent crude trading at $105.07 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate at $99.60. Despite the day's drop, Brent remains $10 higher than it was a week ago.

U.S. oil production has also risen. Citing the latest U.S. Energy Information Administration data, OilPrice.com reported that weekly crude output averaged 13.947 million barrels per day for the week ending September 4. That is an increase from 13.862 million bpd the prior week and up 452,000 bpd from a year ago.

However, a key measure of completion activity suggests a slowdown in bringing new wells online. Primary Vision’s Frac Spread Count, which estimates crews completing wells, fell for a fourth consecutive week to 178 as of September 4, reaching its lowest point since May.

In other major U.S. basins, the Permian Basin rig count held steady at 268, while the Eagle Ford added one rig to reach 51, according to the OilPrice.com report.

For North Dakota operators and royalty owners, the steady rig count near a one-month high suggests sustained development activity in the Williston Basin, even as the national focus remains on the Permian. The recent uptick from 30 rigs in mid-August indicates a renewed commitment to drilling in the region amid a favorable commodity price environment.