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BAKKEN WIRE
Murfin Drilling Secures Three Permits in Stark County as Cancellations Climb - Bakken Wire
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Murfin Drilling Secures Three Permits in Stark County as Cancellations Climb

The North Dakota DMR approved new horizontal wells for a private operator, while Devon Energy advanced two earlier permits and seven others were canceled.

Bakken Wire Staff·☀️Morning Wire·

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources approved three new drilling permits on Friday, June 26, all filed by Murfin Drilling Company, Inc., according to the daily activity report. The permits, numbered 43072 through 43074, are for the Jilek 1-10H, 2-10H, and 3-10H wells in Stark County's New Hradec field.

Separately, two permits previously filed by major operators were listed as moving forward in the confidential status changes section. Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC's permit #41608 for the BL-Mortenson-156-95-2234H-4 well in Williams County's Beaver Lodge field was listed, as were Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C.'s permits #41680 and #41681 for the Johnson 27-34 6H and 7H wells in McKenzie County's South Tobacco Garden field. The report lists these as "confidential status changes," indicating progression beyond the initial permit filing stage.

The report also detailed a significant list of permit cancellations, affecting seven previously approved wells. Phoenix Operating LLC canceled a four-well pad, with permits #42616 through #42619 for the Mary 25-36-1-12 series in McKenzie County all being withdrawn. Additionally, Oasis Petroleum North America LLC canceled a three-well pad, with permits #42943, #42944, and #42945 for the Isabella 6093 series in Burke County being withdrawn.

The new permits granted to Murfin Drilling represent the sole fresh approvals noted in Friday's report. The private operator's activity is focused on the New Hradec field in Stark County, an area located in the southeastern portion of the Williston Basin. The naming convention "Jilek" suggests a common surface location for the three horizontal wells.

The confidential status changes for Hess and Devon indicate continued development planning by larger, established Bakken operators in core counties. Hess's activity is in Williams County, while Devon's is in the highly active McKenzie County.

The cancellation of seven permits underscores the dynamic nature of drilling plans. Phoenix Operating's canceled four-well pad was also slated for McKenzie County, while Oasis's three-well cancellations were in Burke County, which lies in the northwestern reaches of the basin.

Source

North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Daily Activity Report for June 26, 2026

dmrdrilling permitsmurfin drillingdevon energyhesspermit cancellationsstark countymckenzie countywilliams countyburke county

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