XTO, Burlington Secure New Permits as Devon, Hess Wells Exit Confidential Status

The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) approved three new drilling permits in its latest daily activity report, all designated for confidential fields in the core of the Bakken. The agency also released location details for four previously confidential wells.

XTO Energy Inc. was the most active operator, securing two permits for Dunn County. Both permits, #42936 and #42937, are for the Ghostrider Federal 34X-6G and Ghostrider Federal 34X-6C wells, respectively. They are located in SW SE 6-148N-96W. Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP received one permit, #42935, for the HBU Sandstone 1N MBH well in SE SE 15-148N-98W, McKenzie County.

In a separate administrative action, the DMR released four wells from confidential status, revealing their operators and specific locations. According to the report, Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. had two wells released: the Owan Trust North 29-28-27F 3H in NW NW 29-154N-103W, Williams County (#41910), and the Wagenman 32-29 5H in SE SE 32-155N-101W, Williams County (#41451).

Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC also had a well released from confidential status. The well, BW-JLP-149-101-2321H-4, is located in SE NE 23-149N-101W, McKenzie County (#42073). Additionally, Kraken Operating, LLC's Apollo 18-7-6 #7H in NW NE 19-159N-98W, Williams County (#42197), was released.

The new permit activity is concentrated in the central corridor of the Bakken, with filings in Dunn and McKenzie counties. The release of confidential wells provides insight into recent drilling operations by major players like Devon and Hess in Williams and McKenzie counties, key oil-producing areas in North Dakota.

The "confidential" field designation for new permits allows operators to withhold specific well data for a limited period, typically six months, as allowed by state law. The subsequent release of information on other wells follows the standard procedure after that confidentiality period expires.