Koda, Continental Secure New Permits; Hess Well Released from Confidential Status

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources approved two new drilling permits on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, according to the agency's daily activity report. The permits were issued to Koda Resources Operating LLC and Continental Resources Inc.

Permit #42781 was granted to Koda Resources Operating LLC for the AMBER 3421-3BH well, located in Divide County within the Fertile Valley field. Permit #42782 was granted to Continental Resources Inc. for the LANGVED 5-2H well, located in Williams County within a field listed as 'Confidential'.

The report also noted a change in confidential status for a previously filed well. Permit #41907, operated by Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC for the GO-WOLLA-157-97-3422H-4 well in SW SW Section 35: Township 157 North, Range 97 West, Williams County, was released from its confidential designation. This change allows for public disclosure of the well's production data, typically occurring six months after initial production begins.

An additional filing, #41546 for the Oasis Petroleum North America LLC ELLIS 5602 13-17 2B well in NW NE Section 17: Township 156 North, Range 102 West, Williams County, was listed in the Strandahl field. This filing was categorized under "Additional Information" and did not indicate a new permit approval or a change in confidential status.

The new permits indicate continued, though measured, activity in the core Bakken region. Williams County, part of the prolific Williston Basin, remains a focal point for major operators like Continental Resources. The approval for Koda Resources in Divide County, situated in the northwestern portion of the Bakken play, shows ongoing development across the formation.

The release of the Hess well from confidential status provides the market with new production data for analysis, offering insights into the performance of one of the basin's largest operators in a key county.