XTO Energy Dominates DMR Permitting with Seven New Dunn County Wells

XTO Energy Inc., a subsidiary of ExxonMobil, was the sole operator securing new drilling permits from the North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, according to the agency's daily activity report. The DMR approved seven new permits, all filed by XTO for locations in Dunn County.

All seven permits are for wells on the same pad, designated under the "Hurt Federal" name in Section 25 of Township 148 North, Range 97 West. The approved permits are for the Hurt Federal 32X-25EXH, 32X-25A, 32X-25F, 32X-25B, 32X-25G, 32X-25C, and 32X-25H wells. The report lists the field for these wells as 'CONFIDENTIAL,' indicating that specific geologic or production data is temporarily withheld from public disclosure.

This concentrated batch of permits signals a significant new multi-well development project by a major operator in the western Bakken. Dunn County is a core production area within the Williston Basin.

In addition to new permits, the DMR report included updates on the confidential status of two previously permitted wells. According to the report, Hess Bakken Investments II, LLC, has a well designated EN-Fretheim S-154-93-0805H-9 in Mountrail County (SE SW 08-154N-93W) that had its confidential status updated. Similarly, Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C., had an update for its Loomer 11-2 7H well in McKenzie County (SE SW 11-150N-99W).

The activity highlights continued investment by large-cap operators in the Bakken's core counties. XTO's permit flurry represents the most tangible new development action in the report, focusing on Dunn County. The confidential status changes for Hess and Devon are routine administrative steps in the well lifecycle, often related to the expiration of an initial confidentiality period following completion data submission.