Seven New Permits Approved; Devon Wells Released from Confidential Status

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources approved seven new drilling permits on Monday, July 13, 2026, according to its daily activity report. The permits were filed by Slawson Exploration Company, Formentera Operations LLC, and Phoenix Operating LLC.

Slawson Exploration Company received one permit, #43109, for the STAMPEDE 4-36-25JH well in Williams County. The well is listed in a 'CONFIDENTIAL' field. Formentera Operations LLC was approved for two permits in Burke County, both also in 'CONFIDENTIAL' fields. These are the RABBIT-10-33-PGN S517HF (#43110) and the GABRIEL-10-34-PGN S610HX (#43111).

The most active operator in Monday's report was Phoenix Operating LLC, which secured four permits for a project in Divide County. All four wells—the AKEMI FERRARI 14-11-2 1H-LL (#43113), 3H (#43114), 4H (#43115), and 5H (#43116)—are located in the SW SE and SE SE of Section 14-160N-98W within the SKABO field. This multi-well pad development signals continued activity in the northwestern reaches of the Bakken formation.

In a separate administrative action, the DMR released three previously confidential wells operated by Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C., providing new details on their location and field designation. Permit #42100 for the FOREST 26-35 4H well, located in the NE NW of Section 26-152N-101W in McKenzie County, is no longer confidential.

Additionally, the confidential status was removed from two other Devon permits. Permit #40623 for the SKAAR 15-22 6H well is in the NW NE of Section 15-150N-99W, McKenzie County, and is assigned to the SOUTH TOBACCO GARDEN field. Permit #41548 for the ELLIS 5602 13-17 4B well is in the NW NE of Section 17-156N-102W, Williams County, and is in the STRANDAHL field.

The release of confidential status is a routine procedure that occurs six months after a well's initial permit or after a well has been completed, offering the public and industry observers clearer insight into operator activity and well placement. The newly released Devon wells show activity in the core Bakken counties of McKenzie and Williams.

Monday's permit approvals highlight ongoing drilling operations across multiple counties. Williams, Burke, and Divide Counties all saw new permitted activity, with Phoenix Operating LLC's four-well pad in the SKABO field of Divide County representing the most concentrated new development.