North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 38 for Second Consecutive Day
Bakken drilling activity remains steady, up six rigs from a month ago as the state's count contrasts with a major offshore incident.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 38 on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, according to Bakken Wire live data. The count showed no change from the previous day, with no new rigs added, none removed, and none moving location.
The current level represents a gain of one rig compared to one week ago, when the state reported 37 active rigs on October 21. More significantly, drilling activity has increased by six rigs over the past month, rising from a count of 32 on September 28.
The steady activity in the Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, comes amid a contrasting incident in the global drilling sector. According to Rigzone, a rig sank offshore Gabon on October 27. Drilling contractor Borr Drilling revealed that 115 personnel were onboard the rig at the time of the incident. The report did not specify the condition of the personnel or the cause of the sinking.
The stability in the North Dakota rig count suggests a continued, measured level of investment by operators in the Williston Basin. The six-rig increase over the past month indicates a period of expanded activity, though the pace of growth has moderated in the most recent week.
For local service companies and mineral rights owners, the current plateau at 38 rigs represents a sustained level of work and royalty income potential. The count is a key leading indicator for future oil production in the state.
Analysts often watch the rig count for signals on operator confidence and capital spending plans. The month-over-month gain aligns with periods where operators deploy additional drilling rigs to develop held-by-production acreage or target new zones.
The incident offshore Gabon serves as a reminder of the operational risks inherent in oil and gas extraction worldwide, though such major offshore events are rare in the onshore context of the Bakken.
The Bakken Wire will continue to monitor daily rig movements and provide updates on any changes to the state's drilling activity.
Source
Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone (October 27, 2026)
