📄 Case Purpose & Application
Primary Purpose:Authorization to drill and operate a directional saltwater disposal well injecting Class II fluids into the Dakota Group
Operator Request:Firebird Services, LLC requested authorization to drill the MORRIS #1 SWD well as a directional injection well from surface location in NE/4 NW/4 Section 26, T.147N., R.99W. to bottom hole location in SE/4 NW/4 Section 26, T.147N., R.99W., Bennett Creek Field, McKenzie County
📋 Regulatory Proceedings
Filing - Unknown
Firebird Services, LLC submitted Application for Injection pursuant to NDAC Section 43-02-03-88.1 and NDAC Section 43-02-05-04
Formal regulatory submission triggering formal hearing requirement under NDAC Chapter 43-02-05 for Class II disposal authorization
Hearing - 2026-02-26
Public hearing held at 9:00 AM CST at ND Oil & Gas Division, Bismarck. No persons appeared in support or objection; no written comments or objections received prior to hearing
Unopposed proceeding indicating no competitive operator or mineral owner objections; minimal regulatory friction supports rapid approval pathway
Decision - 2026-03-11
Commission issued Order No. 35484 authorizing Firebird Services, LLC and assigns/successors to dispose of Class II fluids by injection into Dakota Group through MORRIS #1 SWD well
Unconditional approval conditioned only on compliance with injection permit issued by Oil and Gas Division under NDAC Section 43-02-05-04
🏭 Operator & Well Intelligence
Applicant:Firebird Services, LLC
Affected Wells:MORRIS #1 SWD
Target Formations:Dakota Group
Directional SWD infrastructure deployment in Bennett Creek Field
Firebird submitted concurrent applications for three additional SWD wells (Cases 32639, 32640) plus one from Argent Midstream (Case 32641) on same 2/26/26 hearing docket, indicating coordinated regional disposal hub development strategy rather than single-well operator
Third-party waste management service provider model
Firebird Services, LLC structure and SWD-focused portfolio across multiple fields (Bennett Creek, Grenora, Skabo) suggests commercial saltwater disposal service business rather than integrated E&P operator
💼 Service Opportunity Signals
SWD
Near-term
Directional SWD well drilling and completion services required for MORRIS #1 SWD and associated Bennett Creek Field infrastructure buildout
Why Relevant:Approved permit triggers well construction phase; directional drilling specialty required for offset surface-to-bottomhole geometry
SWD
Near-term
Saltwater disposal injection operations and facilities engineering: surface equipment installation, downhole equipment integration, flow testing, and pressure management systems
Why Relevant:Post-approval well completion and commissioning phase; operational support services for disposal facility startup and optimization
Consulting
Immediate
Injection system engineering and pressure monitoring: determination of optimal injection rates, confining zone pressure management, area-of-review monitoring, and regulatory reporting support
Why Relevant:Injection permit conditions will specify monitoring and reporting requirements; technical consulting required to define operating parameters and compliance documentation
Enhanced Recovery
Long-term
Regional disposal hub consolidation and multi-operator brine aggregation: potential to integrate MORRIS #1 SWD with other Firebird SWD wells (Quarne #1, Brynn Ferrari #1) creating coordinated multi-field disposal platform
Why Relevant:Firebird's three concurrent SWD applications suggest platform buildout strategy; third-party operators may seek aggregated disposal service contracting creating hub-and-spoke commercial model
⚖️ Regulatory Requirements
Technical Requirements:Well construction shall prevent movement of fluids into or between underground sources of drinking water, Injection formation (Dakota Group) must maintain confining zone integrity free of open faults or fractures within area of review, Class II waste definition and composition compliance required
Monitoring Requirements:Monitoring per injection permit issued by Oil and Gas Division under NDAC Section 43-02-05-04
Reporting Requirements:All provisions of NDAC Chapter 43-02-05 reporting and record-keeping requirements shall apply
Analysis Confidence
High
Case file contains complete order with explicit findings, technical specifications, applicant identity, field designation, well coordinates, target formation, and regulatory citation. Hearing docket corroborates case number and applicant. No ambiguities in well location, operator identity, or regulatory action. Commission decision language unambiguous regarding authorization scope and conditions. No evidence of missing information or contested proceedings.