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BAKKEN WIRE
DMR Approves Four New Bakken Permits, Phoenix Operating Leads Activity - Bakken Wire
Daily Activity

DMR Approves Four New Bakken Permits, Phoenix Operating Leads Activity

State regulators approved three new permits for Phoenix Operating LLC in Divide County and one for Devon Energy in McKenzie County.

Bakken Wire Staff·☀️Morning Wire·

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) approved four new drilling permits in its latest daily activity report. All permits were approved on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Phoenix Operating LLC was the most active operator, securing three permits in Divide County. All three permits are for wells named "Gina Ferrari" in the same legal location: SW SW 13-160N-98W within the Skabo field. The approved wells are the Gina Ferrari 13-12-1 5H, 4H, and 2H, according to the DMR report.

The fourth permit was approved for Devon Energy Williston L.L.C. in McKenzie County. The permit is for the Albert South 34-33-32 3H well, located in the Foreman Butte field.

The activity highlights continued drilling interest in northwestern North Dakota. Divide and McKenzie counties are core production areas within the Williston Basin. The Skabo field in Divide County and the Foreman Butte field in McKenzie County are established areas for Bakken and Three Forks development.

The permit approvals represent the first step for these operators to commence new drilling operations. The DMR's approval allows the companies to proceed with site preparation and spudding the wells. Further regulatory steps, including filing permits to drill (APDs) and completion reports, will follow as operations progress.

Daily permit approvals are a key indicator of near-term drilling activity in the state. The DMR's daily filings provide the industry with a real-time look at operator plans. Royalty owners and service companies monitor these reports to gauge activity levels in specific counties and fields.

The concentrated activity by Phoenix Operating LLC in a single section of Divide County suggests a multi-well pad development. Pad drilling is a common efficiency practice in the Bakken, allowing operators to drill multiple horizontal wells from a single surface location to drain a targeted area more effectively.

Devon Energy's single permit in McKenzie County represents ongoing maintenance of its position in a core Bakken county. McKenzie County consistently leads the state in both producing wells and active drilling rigs.

Source

North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Daily Activity Report for May 29, 2026.

dmrdrilling permitsphoenix operating llcdevon energydivide countymckenzie countyskabo fieldforeman butte fieldbakkenwilliston basin

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