North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 35 for Second Consecutive Day
The state's active drilling fleet is up eight rigs from a month ago but down one from the previous week.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged at 35 on Tuesday, September 8, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The tally showed no new rigs added, none removed, and none that moved location since the previous day.
The current count represents a slight pullback from the level seen one week ago on September 1, when 36 rigs were active. However, the broader trend shows a significant increase in drilling activity compared to last month. The rig count is up by eight from the 27 rigs reported on August 9.
The stability in the daily rig count suggests a period of consolidation for operators in the Williston Basin following a notable monthly gain. The eight-rig increase over the past month points to a renewed focus on development drilling, potentially in response to sustained oil prices or the deployment of new drilling permits.
The Bakken formation remains the primary engine of North Dakota's oil production, and rig activity is a leading indicator of future output. A rig count in the mid-30s is consistent with a stable, moderate pace of development in the play. Operators may be optimizing drilling schedules and focusing capital on their highest-return acreage.
Further context on specific operator plans or drilling trends was not provided in the immediate data. The movement of individual rigs between counties or operators can sometimes shift without affecting the overall state total, but no such moves were recorded in the latest daily update.
Industry analysts typically watch the rig count for signs of expansion or contraction in the basin's oil field service sector and for implications on future production volumes. The month-over-month increase could signal confidence among producers in the current commodity price environment.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data
