North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 35 for Third Consecutive Day

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held at 35 for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, September 9, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The state reported no new rigs added, removed, or moved since yesterday.

The current level of 35 rigs represents a slight pullback from activity seen a week ago. According to historical data, North Dakota had 37 active rigs on September 2, meaning the count has dipped by two units over the past seven days. However, drilling activity remains significantly higher than levels seen just one month prior. On August 10, the state reported 28 active rigs, indicating a net gain of seven rigs over the past month.

The steady local count contrasts with a broader downturn in North American drilling activity. According to a report from Rigzone published on September 8, North America as a whole lost rigs for the third consecutive week. Citing the latest Baker Hughes North America rotary rig count, the report stated the continent dropped seven rigs week on week.

The Bakken formation, located within the Williston Basin, is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region. The rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future oil production and employment in the state's energy sector. A stable count suggests operators are maintaining a consistent, albeit cautious, capital spending program for drilling and completion in the near term.

The recent data shows North Dakota's drilling activity has been volatile on a weekly basis but has demonstrated a stronger upward trend over a one-month horizon. This pattern may reflect operator responses to fluctuating commodity prices and ongoing efficiency gains that allow for sustained production with fewer rigs.

The broader North American decline highlighted by Baker Hughes data suggests macroeconomic or price-driven headwinds that have not yet triggered a fresh decline in the Bakken. North Dakota's resilience could be tied to the high productivity of its core acreage, where operators continue to focus their drilling programs.