North Dakota Rig Count Stable at 21 Amid Industry Conference

North Dakota's active drilling rig count held steady at 21 on Wednesday, with no additions, removals, or location changes since Tuesday, according to Bakken Wire's daily rig activity report.

The current count is unchanged from a month ago, when the state also reported 21 active rigs on April 20, 2026. However, activity has declined slightly over the past week, down three rigs from the count of 24 reported on May 13, 2026.

The stability in drilling activity coincides with a major industry gathering in the state. Thousands of oil and gas professionals are in Bismarck this week for the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference, one of the largest industry events in North Dakota, according to Bing News.

The Bakken formation and broader Williston Basin in western North Dakota remain the state's primary oil-producing region. The rig count is a key indicator of near-term drilling investment and future production potential.

A rig count of 21 represents a specific level of capital deployment by operators across the basin. The count can be influenced by factors including crude oil prices, well economics, service costs, and individual company drilling schedules.

The week-over-week decline of three rigs may reflect normal operational adjustments by operators. Such fluctuations are common as drilling programs conclude on one pad and commence on another.

Industry conferences like the Williston Basin Petroleum Conference often serve as venues for discussing market conditions, technological advancements, and regulatory landscapes that influence drilling decisions. The gathering of thousands of professionals underscores the region's continued significance to the national energy sector.

Bakken Wire provides daily monitoring of rig activity as a fundamental metric for operators, service companies, and royalty owners in North Dakota.