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BAKKEN WIRE
Daily Activity

Continental Leads Bakken Permitting with Five New Williams County Wells

State regulators approve new confidential drilling permits, while Petro-Hunt and Continental report strong new well results.

Bakken Wire Staff·☀️Morning Wire·

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources approved five new drilling permits on Wednesday, September 2, all filed by Continental Resources, Inc. for locations in Williams County. The permits, numbered #43281 through #43285, are for the MARYLAND FIU 7-16H, MARYLAND FIU 8-16H, NASHVILLE 6-21H, NASHVILLE 7-21H, and NASHVILLE 8-21H wells. All five are listed in a 'CONFIDENTIAL' field, according to the DMR Daily Activity Report.

The report also listed 11 permit renewals. Marathon Oil Company renewed three permits (#40163, #40164, #40165) for wells in McKenzie County's FOUR BEARS field. Formentera Operations, LLC renewed permit #35407 for a well in Divide County's AMBROSE field.

Four new producing well completions were reported, showcasing strong initial flow rates. The most productive was Continental Resources' LOUISVILLE FEDERAL 7-7HSL well in McKenzie County, which tested at 1,241 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 3,240 barrels of water per day (BWPD). Petro-Hunt, L.L.C. completed two wells in Burke County: the TINJUM 159-91-31D-19-2H flowed 547 BOPD and 2,391 BWPD, while the TINJUM 159-91-31D-19-3H flowed 285 BOPD and 2,710 BWPD.

Oasis Petroleum North America LLC reported two completions in Williams County. The TROON 5602 12-23 4B well flowed 902 BOPD and 2,698 BWPD, and the PRESTWICK FEDERAL 5602 12-23 4B well flowed 770 BOPD and 2,132 BWPD.

In other activity, one well was listed as a producer now abandoned. Permit #07459, operated by Norton Frickey in Billings County, was abandoned. A single new saltwater disposal (SWD) permit was approved for Koda Resources Operating, LLC. Permit #43280 is for the AMBER 13-1 SWD well in Divide County's FERTILE VALLEY field.

Two wells were released from confidential status. Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC's SC-MARI-153-98-2223H-4 well in Williams County and XTO Energy Inc's GBU ATREMIS 32X-13E-N well, also in Williams County in the GRINNELL field, are no longer confidential.

Wednesday's data shows concentrated activity from major operators. Continental Resources was the only company securing new drilling permits, focusing its immediate development plans on Williams County. Completion results highlight ongoing development in the core Bakken counties of McKenzie, Williams, and Burke, with several wells reporting initial production exceeding 500 BOPD.

Source

North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Daily Activity Report for September 2, 2026.

dmrdrilling permitscontinental resourceswell completionswilliams countybakken

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