Whiting Permits Three New McKenzie County Wells; Enerpus Renews Seven

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources approved three new drilling permits in its latest daily activity report, all filed by Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation. The agency also processed seven permit renewals and one cancellation, according to the report.

All three new permits are for wells in the Middle Creek field of McKenzie County. The permits, numbered 43433, 43434, and 43435, are for the Garfield Federal 5003 43-15 3B, 5B, and 6B wells. They share the same location in Section 15 of Township 150 North, Range 103 West.

Separately, Enerplus Resources USA Corporation was active with seven permit renewals for wells in the Antelope field, also in McKenzie County. The renewed permits—Flatiron 152-94-21C-16H-LL, Shoal 152-94-21C-16H, Fjord 152-94-21C-16H, Hogback 152-94-21C-16H, Arroyo 152-94-21C-16H, and Barchan 152-94-21C-16H—are all located in Section 28 of Township 152 North, Range 94 West. The DMR report notes the location for each is "outside of spacing unit."

Enerplus also had one permit cancellation in the report. Permit #26209 for the Christine Joe 2-31-30H well in Williams County was cancelled. That well was located in Section 31 of Township 158 North, Range 102 West.

The DMR report included an additional information entry for Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation regarding the Paulson Federal 5104 44-13 5B well in McKenzie County's Assiniboine field. The well is located in Section 13 of Township 151 North, Range 104 West.

The day's filings underscore continued administrative activity in the heart of the Bakken, with McKenzie County remaining the focal point. Both new permits and renewed permits were clustered in specific sections, indicating targeted development plans by the operators.