Bakken Shale / Williston Basin
The Bakken Shale in the Williston Basin is one of the largest oil formations in North America, primarily located in North Dakota.
Oil Production
Gas Production
DUC Wells
Wells Drilled
Wells Completed
Source: U.S. EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook — Bakken (cached) · U.S. EIA Drilling Productivity Report · Latest source period Aug 2026
U.S. government data, public domain at the source. Well counts are monthly. We do not publish a basin rig count or a historical basin series, because we do not have a current source for either.
Understanding Bakken Shale / Williston Basin
The Bakken petroleum system sits within the larger Williston Basin and extends across North Dakota, Montana and southern Saskatchewan. Development commonly targets the Middle Bakken and benches of the underlying Three Forks, while the organic-rich upper and lower Bakken members act as source rocks. Long horizontal wells and multi-stage completions transformed the play into a major U.S. oil-producing region.
Northern climate, long transport distances and associated-gas handling distinguish Bakken operations from southern shale plays. Rail, pipeline and gas-capture infrastructure can influence realized economics alongside geology. Production statistics labeled “Bakken” may refer either to the EIA region or the broader Williston Basin, so the geographic definition should be checked before comparing datasets.