North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 26 as Devon Energy Adds New Rig

North Dakota's active drilling rig count rose to 26 on Sunday, May 24, 2026, with one new rig reported since the previous day, according to live rig data monitored by Bakken Wire. No rigs were removed or moved locations.

The new addition was the NABORS B17 rig, operated by Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. in Williams County at location 156-100-31. The current count of 26 rigs represents an increase of four from one week prior (May 17, 2026) and an increase of three from one month ago (April 24, 2026).

The modest rise in drilling activity coincides with a wave of industry optimism and specific operator announcements emerging from the recent Williston Basin Petroleum Conference in Bismarck. According to a report from the North Dakota Monitor, Continental Resources founder Harold Hamm announced on May 21 that the company plans to resume drilling in North Dakota before the end of the year. Hamm had paused new drilling in January due to low oil prices, marking the first such halt in 30 years for the state's No. 2 oil producer.

Hamm's decision to restart activity was attributed to higher oil prices amid the U.S. war with Iran, according to the report. He stated that a minimum price in the high $70s or low $80s per barrel is a "healthy range" for the industry. Department of Mineral Resources Director Nathan Anderson said the announcement signals "some certainty around a little higher price for a little bit longer" and noted he had heard of another company planning to add a rig.

The state's latest production data, while lagging, shows the initial impact of the price surge. According to a May 23 Yahoo News article covering the Department of Mineral Resources' monthly briefing, North Dakota produced 1.142 million barrels per day in March, with the number of producing wells reaching a record high of 19,639. The state's oil price in March was $84.33 per barrel, a significant jump from $57.74 in February.

The broader context from the conference, as reported in a May 23 Wahpeton Daily News column, focused on "Bakken 2.0" – a concerted push to develop enhanced oil recovery technologies. The column noted a combined investment exceeding $100 million from the state, federal government, and private industry is fueling research to improve recovery rates, which currently stand below 15% for the Bakken formation.

For Bakken operators and royalty owners, the rising rig count, coupled with sustained higher prices and major producers like Continental signaling a return, points to a potential stabilization and gradual increase in drilling activity after a period of contraction.