North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 35 Despite Two Units Coming Offline
The state's active drilling fleet was unchanged day-over-day as two rigs were released and one was repositioned, maintaining a multi-week plateau.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained at 35 on Thursday, September 3, 2026, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The total showed no net change from the previous day despite two rigs being released and one rig moving to a new location.
Two operators released their contracted drilling units. Silver Hill Energy Operating, LLC released the NABORS B27 rig from its location in Burke County (159-93-6). Separately, KODA RESOURCES OPERATING, LLC released the STONEHAM 17 rig from its location in Divide County (160-103-22).
One rig was repositioned within the core Bakken region. DEVON ENERGY WILLISTON, L.L.C. moved its NABORS B 13 rig to a new location in McKenzie County (152-101-23).
The current count of 35 active rigs represents a slight increase from one week ago, when the state reported 34 rigs active on August 27, 2026. The longer-term trend shows more significant growth, with the fleet up by seven rigs compared to one month ago, when 28 rigs were active on August 4, 2026.
The stability in the rig count, amidst individual unit changes, suggests operators are maintaining a consistent level of drilling activity. The Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks formations, remains a primary target for this development drilling. The movement of a Devon Energy rig within McKenzie County highlights continued operator focus on the basin's core acreage, where well productivity is typically highest.
Rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production in North Dakota. The current level of activity, while significantly higher than a month ago, remains below the peaks seen in previous boom cycles, reflecting a continued industry emphasis on capital discipline and efficiency.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data
