North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 33 with Three New Additions
The Williston Basin adds three new drilling rigs, led by Hess and operators in Divide and Williams counties.
North Dakota's active drilling rig count rose to 33 on Monday, September 28, 2026, with three new rigs reported, according to live data monitored by Bakken Wire. No rigs were removed or moved locations from the previous day.
The new activity was concentrated in the state's core oil-producing counties. Phoenix Operating LLC spud the PATTERSON 276 rig at location 160-98-13 in Divide County. In Williams County, HESS BAKKEN INVESTMENTS II, LLC activated the NABORS x24 at 153-98-17, and KRAKEN OPERATING, LLC spud the NABORS B 12 at 158-100-17.
The current tally of 33 rigs represents a slight weekly increase from the 32 rigs active one week ago, on September 21. However, drilling activity remains below levels seen a month ago, down three rigs from the count of 36 reported on August 29.
The modest uptick in North Dakota aligns with a broader increase in North American drilling activity this week. According to Rigzone, citing data from Baker Hughes, the North America rotary rig count added 15 rigs week-on-week in its latest report published Monday.
The Bakken formation in North Dakota and the wider Williston Basin remains a key onshore oil-producing region. Rig count is a closely watched leading indicator for future production and service company activity. The current count of 33 active rigs demonstrates continued, steady investment by operators in the play.
Source
Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone
