North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 35 for Third Consecutive Day

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota was unchanged at 35 on Friday, September 4, according to daily data from Bakken Wire. No rigs were added, removed, or moved locations in the past 24 hours.

The current count is down by one rig from the 36 reported one week ago, on August 28, 2026. However, activity has shown growth over the past month, with the total being five rigs higher than the 30 active rigs recorded on August 5.

This period of stability in the Bakken formation, the state's primary oil-producing region, comes amid continued geopolitical tensions affecting other global oil frontiers. According to a report from OilPrice.com, Argentina's President Javier Milei has threatened sanctions against oil companies drilling near the disputed Falkland Islands, which Argentina calls Las Malvinas. The report states that Milei, emboldened by shifting U.S. diplomatic signals, said Argentina would "continue to bar from operating in Argentine territory companies involved, directly or indirectly, in projects in the (islands) without Argentine authorization."

The specific project targeted is the Sea Lion oilfield, operated by UK-based Navitas Petroleum Development and Production Ltd and Rockhopper Exploration plc. OilPrice.com reported that the partners have reached a Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Sea Lion Northern Development, with first oil planned for March 2028. The development plan involves drilling 11 subsea wells in Phase 1, tied back to a floating production vessel.

While the Falklands dispute underscores the political risks that can accompany international drilling campaigns, operators in the Williston Basin continue to focus on steady development within a established regulatory framework. The Bakken rig count, a key indicator of near-term production activity and oilfield service demand, has remained in a narrow range in recent days.

The stability at 35 rigs suggests a measured pace of operation by producers as they balance capital discipline with maintaining production from the prolific shale play. For royalty owners and service companies in North Dakota, the current activity level represents a moderate but sustained pace of development compared to the higher counts seen during previous boom periods.