North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 38 Amid Increased Completion Activity

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained unchanged on Thursday, October 22, 2026, holding steady at 38, according to Bakken Wire live data. There were no new rigs added, none removed, and none relocated in the past 24 hours.

The current level represents a sustained increase in activity over recent weeks. One week ago, on October 15, the state's active rig count was 35, and one month ago, on September 22, it stood at 32.

The stable but elevated rig count coincides with reports of accelerated completion work by operators in the state. According to a Reuters report sourced from October 20, U.S. oil and gas companies are speeding up well completions and boosting production in North Dakota, encouraged by high crude prices. State officials confirmed the trend, noting that North Dakota is the nation's third-largest oil-producing state.

This focus on turning drilled wells into producing wells helps explain the plateau in rig numbers. Operators appear to be prioritizing the completion of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) to capitalize on current market conditions, which can temporarily shift capital away from launching new drilling projects while still increasing overall output from the Bakken formation.

The six-rig increase over the past month signals renewed confidence in the Williston Basin. While the daily rig count can be volatile, the consistent month-over-month growth suggests a measured response by Bakken operators to the price environment cited by regulators.

In broader industry news, international drilling developments continue, though not directly impacting the Bakken. On October 22, Rigzone reported that Turkey moved closer to expanding energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean after Libya's government endorsed disputed maritime boundaries. Such geopolitical deals can influence global oil supply expectations and, consequently, long-term price outlooks that inform domestic drilling budgets.

For North Dakota royalty owners and service companies, the current activity level—combining steady drilling with a reported surge in completions—points to sustained near-term operations and oil production volumes. The state's rig count remains a key indicator of industry health and investment in the region.