WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
WTI Crude--
Brent Crude--
Natural Gas--
ND Rig Count--
BAKKEN WIRE
North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 25 - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 25

Hess adds a rig in McKenzie County, halting a recent decline in drilling activity.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota increased by one to 25 on Thursday, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The addition marks a reversal after the state's rig count fell by one over the previous week.

The sole new rig added was deployed by Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC. The company started drilling with the Nabors x24 rig at location 149-100-33 in McKenzie County, the core of the Bakken formation.

Despite the daily gain, drilling activity remains below levels seen earlier in the summer. The current count of 25 rigs is down one from the 26 rigs active one week ago on July 16, 2026. The longer-term trend shows a more significant pullback, with the state's rig fleet down three from the 28 rigs reported one month ago on June 23.

The rig count is a key leading indicator of future oil production in the Bakken. Operators adjust their drilling pace in response to commodity prices, operational efficiency gains, and capital spending plans. The recent decline from 28 to 25 rigs over the past month suggests some operators have tempered their activity.

McKenzie County consistently hosts the majority of North Dakota's drilling rigs due to its high-density resource potential. Hess is a major operator in the region and its decision to add a rig will be closely watched by service companies and royalty owners for signals of sustained activity.

The overall trend of a moderated rig count aligns with a period where many public operators emphasize capital discipline and shareholder returns over pure volume growth. However, the day's increase shows that drilling continues selectively on high-graded locations.

Source

Bakken Wire Live Rig Data

rig countdrillinghessmckenzie countybakken

Share this article

PostShareShareEmail

Related Articles

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 After Three Rigs Dropped - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 33 After Three Rigs Dropped

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held steady at 33 on Wednesday, October 7, despite three rigs being released by operators, according to live rig data. The net count was unchanged from one week ago on September 30. Three rigs were released from service on Wednesday. Hunt Oil Company released the T&S Drilling 1 rig from a location in Burke County (159-90-33). Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. released the Noble 4 rig from Dunn County (149-91-18). XTO Energy Inc. released the H & P 429 rig from McKenzie County (153-96-3). No rigs were reported as moving to new locations. The current count of 33 rigs represents a decrease of two rigs from the level seen one month ago on September 7, when 35 rigs were active. The stability over the past week suggests a period of equilibrium in drilling activity, with new rigs being added to replace those...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 7
North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 36, Up Three Over Past Week - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Holds at 36, Up Three Over Past Week

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 36 on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The data showed no new rigs added, none removed, and no rigs moving location since the prior day. The current count represents a gain of three rigs compared to one week ago, when the state reported 33 active rigs on September 30, 2026. Compared to one month ago, activity is up by one rig from the 35 rigs reported on September 7. A rig count in the mid-30s is consistent with the operational tempo seen in the Bakken formation over recent years, as producers focus capital discipline and efficiency gains in the mature shale play. The stability in the count suggests operators are maintaining, but not aggressively expanding, their drilling programs as of early October. The Williston Basin, home to the Bakken and Three Forks formations, remains...

☀️Morning Wire·Oct 7
North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 36; Zavanna Adds New Williams County Rig - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 36; Zavanna Adds New Williams County Rig

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota increased by one to 36 on Tuesday, October 6, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The gain marks a continuation of recent activity increases in the Williston Basin. The sole addition was a rig operated by Zavanna Energy Operating, LLC. The company spud the NABORS X28 rig at a well location in Williams County (Section 3, Township 153N, Range 99W). No rigs were removed from service or moved to new locations within the state on Tuesday, resulting in the net gain of one. The current rig count of 36 represents a significant weekly increase. One week ago, on September 29, 2026, the state reported 30 active rigs, meaning the fleet has grown by six units over the past seven days. Compared to one month ago, activity is also up marginally. On September 6, 2026, the state's rig count stood at...

🌅Afternoon Wire·Oct 6