🛢️ MHA BUCKWHEAT 4892 21-19 3B

ENERPLUS RESOURCES USA CORPORATION · Dunn County, ND · File #43051 · Generated 2026-08-22 02:29

API: 3302505210
Target Formation: Middle Bakken
Confidence: High

📊 Signals (8)

Tier	Signal	Date	Service Impact
Tier 2	Approval conditional on 500' north/south and 150' east/west setbacks within 2560-acre spacing unit, with east setback based on production liner cemented in lateral with wet shoe and ability to frac out shoe. 📄 Stipulations section, Permit Information Specific setback conditions tied to liner cementing and frac-out capability indicate a tailored regulatory approval for pad-edge drilling, not a generic permit.	Unknown	Completions / Frac
Tier 3	Bureau of Indian Affairs approves amendment to right-of-way (FBOG101061) adding five well bores including this well, with approval date June 16, 2026.⏰ TIME-SENSITIVE 📄 Amendment of Grant of Easement, BIA Memorandum Federal surface use amendment approved post-permit, specific to Fort Berthold Reservation land, with explicit well additions.	2026-06-16	Drilling Rigs
Tier 3	NDIC Petroleum Engineer Nathaniel Erbele emails operator on March 3, 2026, flagging that permit may be subject to Federal permit via BLM due to spacing unit location.⏰ TIME-SENSITIVE 📄 Email from Nathaniel Erbele dated March 3, 2026 Regulatory ambiguity flagged late in process (permit approved June 19, 2026), suggesting potential dual state/federal jurisdiction.	2026-03-03	General Oilfield Services
Tier 3	Operator asserts waiver of adjacent operator notification for drill-back because Enerplus is the operator of the adjacent spacing unit. 📄 Letter dated Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Drill-back into adjacent unit is planned, but notification waived because operator controls both units, revealing multi-unit development strategy.	2025-11-04	Regulatory / Permitting
Tier 3	Dunn County Commission granted section line encroachment permission for multi-well pad on August 18, 2016, specific to originally named wells. 📄 Dunn County Commission letter dated August 18, 2016 County approval is pad-specific and dated years prior; new wells added via amendment may rely on original approval.	2016-08-18	Drilling Rigs
Tier 3	Facility design uses indirect heater with setback exemption under NDIC Case No. 28949 Order No. 31500, allowing placement within 60 ft of wellhead and 21 ft of oil tank. 📄 Facility Statement Non-standard equipment siting approved via specific commission order, enabling tighter pad layout.	Unknown	General Oilfield Services
Tier 3	Operator must contact NDIC Field Inspector Clark Schackelford (701-495-2034) prior to location construction.⏰ TIME-SENSITIVE 📄 Conditions of Approval Direct, named inspector contact required before construction starts, indicating heightened regulatory oversight or site-specific sensitivities.	Relative	General Oilfield Services
Tier 3	If pad is expanded, Enerplus must receive additional approval from Dunn County for section line encroachment pursuant to NDCC 24-06-28. 📄 Conditions of Approval Explicit county-level approval required for any pad expansion, beyond standard state permits.	Relative	General Oilfield Services

💡 Operator Intent

Maximize pad density and multi-well efficiency by adding five new wells (including this one) to existing Grains Pad under amended right-of-way.

BIA amendment adds MHA Buckwheat 4892 21-19 3B and four other wells to existing pad; pad layout shows multiple well slots and shared facilities.
Utilize 'wet shoe' liner configuration to enable cost-effective toe initiation via pump-down wireline perforating, avoiding tubing or tractor.

Technical description in Anti-Collision Statement details wet shoe design with over-displaced cement to create uncemented annulus at toe for wireline perforating.
Drill back into adjacent spacing unit under operator's control, avoiding external notification requirements.

Operator's November 4, 2025 letter requests waiver of adjacent operator notification because Enerplus operates the adjacent unit.

🔧 Service Operator Relevance

Surface Construction & Pad Building

BIA right-of-way amendment approved June 16, 2026; construction cannot start until NDIC Field Inspector is contacted. Timing is immediate post-approval.

Directional Drilling & Anti-Collision Services

Anti-collision report shows multiple existing wellbores nearby; drilling must maintain separation factors. High-precision steering required in congested pad.

Cementing & Liner Services

Wet shoe liner design requires precise cement over-displacement; cementing contractor must execute to spec for toe initiation method.

Wireline Perforating

Wet shoe configuration enables pump-down wireline for Stage 1 perforating; wireline services needed immediately after liner installation.

Federal & Tribal Regulatory Coordination

BLM may require additional federal permit per NDIC email; services to navigate BLM and BIA approvals may be needed.