North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 31 as Eben Operating Adds Rig

The number of rigs actively drilling for oil and gas in North Dakota increased to 31 on Thursday, August 13, according to live rig data from Bakken Wire. The count is up by one rig from the previous day.

The sole addition was a rig operated by Eben Operating Co., LLC. The company spud the Patterson 290 well in McKenzie County, located at 145-100-5.

No rigs were reported as removed from service or moved to a new location on Thursday.

The current activity level continues a multi-week growth trend for the state's drilling fleet. One week ago, on August 6, the rig count stood at 29 active rigs. Thursday's total represents a net gain of two rigs over the past seven days.

The expansion is more pronounced when viewed on a monthly basis. Compared to one month ago on July 14, when 24 rigs were active, the state's drilling rig count has increased by seven units. This represents a nearly 30 percent increase in active rigs over the past month.

The steady climb in rig activity is a key leading indicator for future oil production in the Bakken formation. Operators typically deploy rigs to drill new wells months before those wells are completed and begin producing. An increase in the rig count suggests operators are allocating more capital to development drilling in the state's core producing counties, like McKenzie.

McKenzie County has long been the most active county for drilling in North Dakota, home to a significant portion of the Bakken's most productive acreage. The addition of Eben Operating's rig there is consistent with ongoing development in the region's core.

The rig count is closely watched by service companies, royalty owners, and local economies in western North Dakota, as it directly correlates with oilfield employment and spending. A rig count in the low 30s, while up significantly from recent lows, remains below the historical peaks seen in previous boom cycles.

The current level of activity reflects operator responses to prevailing oil prices, well economics, and corporate drilling budgets. The consistent upward movement over the past month suggests a period of stabilized or improving conditions for Bakken drillers.