North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 36 for Second Day
Bakken drilling activity remains steady, up two rigs from a month ago but down one from last week.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count held at 36 on Sunday, November 1, 2026, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The figure showed no daily change, with no new rigs added, none removed, and none moving locations.
The current count represents a slight decline from one week ago, when the state reported 37 active rigs. However, drilling activity is up from a month ago, when 34 rigs were operating in the state on October 2, 2026.
The Bakken formation in western North Dakota remains the state's primary oil-producing region, and rig count is a closely watched indicator of future production activity and industry investment. The current level of activity suggests a stable but cautious operational environment among Bakken producers.
The steady rig count comes amid a focus on operational safety elsewhere in the global industry. In unrelated news, offshore drilling contractor Borr Drilling reported that an underwater remotely operated vehicle has located the bodies of three individuals after a rig sank offshore Gabon, according to a report from Rigzone published October 30, 2026.
North Dakota's rig count is a key metric for local service companies, employment, and state tax revenue derived from oil and gas production. The count can be influenced by factors including crude oil prices, well economics, operator capital budgets, and seasonal weather conditions.
Source
Bakken Wire Live Rig Data, Rigzone
