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BAKKEN WIRE
XTO, Enerplus Lead Permitting as Eight New Bakken Wells Approved - Bakken Wire
Daily Activity

XTO, Enerplus Lead Permitting as Eight New Bakken Wells Approved

North Dakota regulators approved eight new drilling permits on Monday, with activity concentrated in Dunn County.

Bakken Wire Staff·☀️Morning Wire·

North Dakota's Department of Mineral Resources approved eight new drilling permits on Monday, May 4, with XTO Energy Inc. and Enerplus Resources USA Corporation accounting for all the new authorizations. The permits signal continued development focus in Dunn County within the Bakken formation.

XTO Energy received approval for five new wells, all targeting the same confidential field in Dunn County. The permits, #42894 through #42897 and a duplicate #42897, are for the Harrier Federal project located in NE NW 15-148N-97W. Enerplus Resources USA Corporation secured three permits for wells in a separate Dunn County location. Its permits #41508, #41509, and #41510 are for the Split and MHA projects in SW SE 20-149N-92W.

According to the DMR Daily Activity Report, several previously confidential wells were released from that status. Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C. had two Barbara wells in McKenzie County released. Hunt Oil Company, Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP, and Silver Hill Energy Operating, LLC also had wells released from confidential status in Burke, McKenzie, and Mountrail counties, respectively. One Silver Hill well, #42379 in Mountrail County, was listed as a completed producing well.

The report also listed two new producing well completions with initial production data. Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP's Watchman Peak 5B well in McKenzie County (#41149) reported an initial production rate of 993 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 519 barrels of water per day (BWPD). Ballard Petroleum Holdings, LLC's Borstad 12-30 well in Bottineau County (#42592) reported 230 BOPD and 12 BWPD.

Finally, one well name change was recorded. Enerplus Resources USA Corporation's UppsaliR 5799 42-11 2B well in Williams County (#42836) was previously named UppsaliR 5799 41-11 2B.

The day's permitting activity underscores Dunn County's role as a core development area for major Bakken operators. The release of multiple wells from confidential status provides additional public data on well locations and operators active across the basin.

Source

North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources Daily Activity Report for May 4, 2026.

dmrdrilling permitsdunn countyxto energyenerplus resourcesbakkenwell completions

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