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North Dakota Rig Count Plummets to Zero Amid Holiday Shutdown - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Plummets to Zero Amid Holiday Shutdown

All 25 active rigs were removed Thursday, marking a complete halt in new drilling activity across the Bakken formation.

Bakken Wire Staff·☀️Morning Wire·

The active drilling rig count in North Dakota fell to zero on Thursday, July 2, as operators idled 25 rigs across the state. According to live rig data, no new rigs were added and none were moved to new locations, resulting in a total shutdown of new drilling activity.

This marks a dramatic decline from just one week ago, when the state reported 26 active rigs on June 26. The count is also down sharply from the 31 rigs reported one month ago on June 3.

The rigs removed span several major oil-producing counties in the Bakken formation and Williston Basin. McKenzie County saw the largest number of rigs taken offline, with seven rigs removed. Operators shutting down in McKenzie County included Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP, Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC, Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C., Oasis Petroleum North America LLC, and Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation.

Mountrail County had four rigs removed, operated by Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC, Oasis Petroleum North America LLC, EOG Resources, Inc., and Slawson Exploration Company, Inc. Williams County also saw five rigs idled, operated by XTO Energy Inc, Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C., Silver Hill Energy Operating, LLC, Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC, and Enerplus Resources USA Corporation.

Other counties affected include Bowman, Burke, Divide, and Dunn. Operators removing rigs in those areas were Marlo Operating Company, LLC, Formentera Operations, LLC, Koda Resources Operating, LLC, Hunt Oil Company, Phoenix Operating LLC, and Enerplus Resources USA Corporation.

A complete halt to drilling activity is highly unusual and is typically associated with major holidays, severe weather events, or significant economic disruptions. The timing coincides with the Fourth of July holiday weekend, suggesting a widespread operational pause.

The Bakken formation is North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, and rig count is a key leading indicator of future production activity. The zero-rig figure represents a temporary but total cessation of new well development.

Source

Live Rig Data, Historical Rig Count Context

rig countdrillingbakkennorth dakotaholiday shutdownoperators

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