North Dakota Rig Count Holds Steady at 28

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held firm at 28 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, showing no daily movement from the previous report. According to live rig data, there were no new rigs added, none removed, and none that moved location in the past 24 hours.

The current count represents a modest increase of one rig compared to levels seen both one week ago and one month ago. On June 17, 2026, the state reported 27 active rigs, and on May 25, 2026, the count was also 27.

This stability in the Williston Basin comes amid ongoing labor disruptions in another major oil-producing region. According to a report from Rigzone, well workers in Norway have continued a strike, with the standoff escalating. The affected service companies—including Baker Hughes, Halliburton, and SLB—have imposed a legal work halt in an effort to force workers to agree to terms proposed under government mediation.

While the Norwegian strike is geographically distant, it highlights ongoing tensions and potential volatility within the global oilfield services sector, which supplies critical drilling and completion expertise to operators worldwide, including those in the Bakken formation.

The Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, relies on a consistent and efficient services sector to maintain drilling programs. A rig count in the upper 20s reflects a sustained, measured level of development activity by operators in the state.

The lack of daily rig movement suggests operators are executing planned drilling schedules without immediate adjustments. The rig count is a key leading indicator of future oil production in the state, as new wells drilled today will contribute to output in the coming months.

Market observers monitor the North Dakota rig count alongside global events, as supply chain or labor issues in other regions can eventually influence costs and equipment availability for domestic shale operators. The steady local activity provides a contrast to the operational disruptions currently being reported overseas.