Kraken Operating Leads Williams County Permitting with Three New Confidential Wells

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources approved four new drilling permits on Thursday, July 16, 2026, with Kraken Operating LLC emerging as the most active filer, according to the agency's daily activity report.

Kraken Operating secured three permits, all in Williams County. The permits are for the CAMPBELL 5800-7-30 #5H and the HOLMES LW 5800-8-29 #11H and #2H wells. All three locations are listed under a 'CONFIDENTIAL' field designation, which typically shields specific drilling plans from public disclosure for a limited period. This concentrated activity signals continued investment by the operator in the Williams County portion of the Bakken formation.

The fourth permit approved Thursday was for Devon Energy Williston L.L.C. The permit is for the BLUEFIN 13F 1H well in McKenzie County's Siverston field. McKenzie County has long been the core of the Bakken's oil production, and Devon's new permit indicates ongoing development in this key area.

In addition to new permits, the DMR report noted a status change for an existing confidential well. The confidential status for permit #41697, held by Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC for the SC-BINGEMAN-154-98-0904H-9 well in Williams County's Truax field, was listed. Such updates are routine administrative steps in the well approval and drilling process.

The day's permitting activity highlights a focus on two of North Dakota's top oil-producing counties. Williams and McKenzie counties consistently rank among the leaders in both active rigs and well production. The approval of new permits, particularly multiple permits for a single operator like Kraken Operating, is a forward-looking indicator of drilling activity that will employ service companies and support local economies in the coming months.

While the total of four permits represents a snapshot of a single day's regulatory activity, it provides Bakken operators and royalty owners with insight into where companies are choosing to allocate capital. The use of confidential status for the three Kraken wells is a common industry practice, often used to secure leasing positions or finalize drilling plans before details become public.