Devon Energy Leads Daily Permits with Three-Well Williams County Pad
White Rock also secures permit; XTO Energy renews four permits for McKenzie County drillback project.
The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources approved four new drilling permits on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. accounting for three of them, according to the agency's daily activity report. White Rock Oil & Gas, LLC secured the fourth permit.
Devon Energy's new permits are for the BUFORD 3-10-15F 2H, 4H, and 5H wells, all located in Williams County within a 'CONFIDENTIAL' field. This three-well pad indicates continued development focus in the western reaches of the Bakken formation. White Rock Oil & Gas's permit is for the MEAD FEDERAL 17-32-4H well in McKenzie County, also in a 'CONFIDENTIAL' field.
In other activity, the DMR processed eight permit renewals, the bulk of which were for a significant XTO Energy Inc. project in McKenzie County. The agency renewed four permits (#35055, #35056, #35057, #35058) for the RUBY STATE FEDERAL wells in the Grinnell field. All four renewals were noted as being for a "PROPOSED DRILLBACK OUTSIDE OF SPACING UNIT," suggesting XTO is advancing a technical infill drilling program in the area.
One permit was cancelled, according to the report. Permit #40940 for the BC 1-22H well, operated by Five States Operating Company, LLC in Stark County, was listed as cancelled.
The report listed two disposal wells as completed. Hunt Oil Company completed the DIMOND 160-91-35 SWD 1 disposal well in Burke County. Formentera Operations, LLC completed the FONDA-23-23-BAL W112DW disposal well in Divide County.
One well was reported as a producer now abandoned. White Rock Oil & Gas, LLC abandoned the REHAB 4-33 well in McKenzie County.
The DMR also reported additional information, typically relating to confidential status changes, for three wells. Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP had updates for two wells in the Haystack Butte field of McKenzie County: the HBU BADLANDS 4N MBH and the HBU HAZEL 2N MBH. Oasis Petroleum North America LLC had an update for the MILKWEED FEDERAL 5302 14-36 4B well in the Indian Hill field of McKenzie County.
The day's filings highlight ongoing administrative and operational activity across the Bakken, with McKenzie County remaining a focal point for renewals and updates, while new permitting activity was split between Williams and McKenzie counties.
Source
North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Daily Activity Report for September 16,对新2026