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North Dakota Rig Count Holds Steady at 35 - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds Steady at 35

The state's drilling activity remains unchanged from yesterday and from its level one month ago, as broader North American rig activity increases.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

North Dakota's active drilling rig count remained at 35 on Monday, October 5, with no rigs added, removed, or moved since the previous day, according to live rig data.

The state's current activity level is up three rigs from one week ago, when the count stood at 32 on September 28. Compared to one month ago on September 5, the rig count is unchanged at 35.

The stability in the Bakken comes as broader North American drilling activity shows an upward trend. According to a report from Rigzone, North America added seven rigs week on week, based on Baker Hughes' latest North America rotary rig count published October 5.

The Baker Hughes data indicates the continent is entering a rig addition streak. This broader increase contrasts with the steady picture in North Dakota, where operators have maintained a consistent pace of drilling operations over the past month.

The Bakken formation remains the primary oil-producing region in North Dakota. Rig counts are a key leading indicator of future production activity and capital expenditure by operators in the state.

For royalty owners and service companies, a stable rig count suggests a period of sustained, but not expanding, drilling activity. The current level of 35 rigs represents the operational tempo for many of the basin's major producers.

The lack of day-to-day movement in the count is not unusual, as operators typically make rig deployment decisions on a weekly or monthly basis rather than daily. The comparison to the one-month-ago figure shows no net change in the overall level of investment in new well drilling.

The reported increase in the continental rig count may reflect activity gains in other major U.S. basins or in Canada. However, the data shows the Bakken's current drilling pace is holding its ground from the start of September.

Market observers will watch to see if the positive North American trend cited by Baker Hughes eventually translates into additional rigs being deployed in the Williston Basin, or if operators remain focused on capital discipline and efficiency at the current activity level.

Source

Live rig data, Rigzone report on Baker Hughes North America rotary rig count published October 5, 2026.

rig countdrillingbakkennorth dakotabaker hughesactivity

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