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North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 37 as Enerplus Adds Williams County Rig - Bakken Wire
Rig Report

North Dakota Rig Count Rises to 37 as Enerplus Adds Williams County Rig

The state's active drilling fleet gained one rig on Wednesday, continuing a steady climb from summer lows amid a tightening global market for equipment.

Bakken Wire Staff·🌅Afternoon Wire·

North Dakota's active drilling rig count increased to 37 on Wednesday, August 26, according to live data from Bakken Wire. The count rose by one from the previous day, with no rigs removed or moved between locations.

The sole new rig reported was the ENERPLUS RESOURCES USA CORPORATION: PATTERSON 806, located at 157-99-11 in Williams County. This addition continues a period of expansion for the state's drilling activity over recent weeks.

The current fleet of 37 rigs represents a significant increase from levels seen earlier this summer. One week ago, on August 19, the state reported 33 active rigs. Compared to one month ago on July 27, when just 23 rigs were active, the count is up by 14 units, signaling a sustained rebound in operator drilling programs.

The steady climb in North Dakota's rig count coincides with a broader industry trend of rising demand for drilling equipment. According to a report from Rigzone published Wednesday, Enverus Intelligence Research warned that global drilling availability was narrowing as demand was rising.

The tightening market for rigs and associated services could influence costs and planning for operators in the Williston Basin. As activity picks up, securing capable drilling contractors and equipment may become more competitive.

The Bakken formation remains the primary driver of oil production in North Dakota. Increases in the rig count are typically viewed as a leading indicator of future production levels, as new wells are drilled and completed.

The consistent week-over-week and month-over-month gains suggest operators are responding to favorable market conditions or executing planned drilling campaigns. Williams County, where the new Enerplus rig is located, is a core area of the Bakken play.

Industry observers will monitor whether the upward trend in rig activity continues in the coming weeks, especially in light of the reported global constraints on drilling availability. The current count of 37 rigs marks one of the higher levels seen in the state in recent months.

Source

Bakken Wire live rig data, Rigzone report published 2026-08-26

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