North Dakota Rig Count Holds Steady at 37, Single Rig Move Reported
State's active drilling fleet remains unchanged from week prior, reflecting a broader North American slowdown in rig additions.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count held at 37 for Monday, October 19, 2026, with no net change from the previous day, according to Bakken Wire live data. One rig was reported to have moved locations within the state.
The sole move involved Phoenix Operating LLC's T&S DRILLING 2 rig, which relocated to location 146-98-32 in McKenzie County. The state's most active oil-producing county remains the central hub for drilling activity in the Bakken formation.
The current count represents a modest increase of one rig compared to one week ago, when the state reported 36 active rigs on October 12. The longer-term trend shows a more significant gain, with five more rigs working now than were active one month ago on September 19, when the count stood at 32.
The steady state-level data contrasts with a broader regional trend. According to a report from Rigzone citing Baker Hughes data, North America as a whole dropped five rigs week on week, breaking a streak of additions. This broader slowdown provides context for the plateau in North Dakota's activity, suggesting operators are maintaining but not aggressively expanding drilling programs at the moment.
A rig count in the upper 30s continues to reflect a period of disciplined capital investment by Bakken operators. The count remains significantly below the boom-era peaks but is stable within the post-2020 activity range, focusing capital on the most productive core areas of the Williston Basin.
The stability in the rig count is a key indicator watched by service companies, royalty owners, and local economies in western North Dakota. Consistent activity supports employment and supply chain demand, even in the absence of rapid growth.
Source
Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone report citing Baker Hughes North America rotary rig count
