Oilfield activity in North Dakota is set to expand in the second half of 2026 as operators respond to higher crude prices and supply uncertainties in the Middle East. U.S. crude futures for March delivery were trading near $78 a barrel on Thursday, while Bakken crude delivered at Clearbrook, Minnesota, commanded a $4.39 premium to benchmark U.S. futures.
The state’s rig count rose to 33 in August from 27 in July, according to data from the Department of Mineral Resources. North Dakota Pipeline Authority Executive Director Justin Kringstad said operators are not relocating rigs to drill drilled-but-uncompleted (DUC) wells for later completion, signaling immediate activity increases. "I suspect we will see some increases in completions and activity in the second half of this year," Kringstad said.
Nathan Anderson, director of the Department of Mineral Resources, attributed the jump in rig activity to two factors: short-term price gains and expectations that prices could remain around $80 per barrel. "The sharp increase in the rig count this month really tells me that operators have two things they are taking advantage of: the short-term increase in prices, or they have more confidence that the $80 price environment is going to last a little bit longer," Anderson said.
Analysts cite geopolitical risks, including disruptions to Middle Eastern supply and the ongoing impasse in the Iran conflict, as key supports for crude prices. The Bakken region’s premium pricing reflects both regional supply tightness and logistical constraints at Clearbrook, a major crude gathering and transportation hub.
