File #32510 | Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company LP | Dunn County
API
Unknown
Target Formation
Bakken (Middle Bakken)
Permit Explained
Yes
Permit Cycle Assessment
The CCU Mainstreeter 5-1-25MBH permit approval (NDIC File No. 32510, dated February 5, 2016, with subsequent renewals through 2018-2019) is directly justified by: (1) Mandatory geotechnical evaluation and monitoring plan responsive to NDIC's August 2017 landslide area stipulation, demonstrating slope stability analysis and long-term monitoring framework; (2) Surface location modification (Form 4) that addressed 50-foot north setback requirement and slope reactivation risk identified in geotechnical report; (3) Gas Capture Plan certified with ONEOK, meeting regulatory requirement for all Bakken completions; (4) Open hole log waiver approved based on offset well correlation, establishing formation tops. All permit conditions and modifications were explicitly documented and time-bound to specific regulatory orders issued by NDIC and BLM.
Permit Cycle Signals (5)
Landslide Area Stipulation - Geotechnical Evaluation Required (2017-08-16)
NDIC explicitly required submission of geotechnical report and monitoring plan PRIOR TO SPUDDING due to identified landslide area. Geotechnical Evaluation (by Braun Intertec) recommended 2H:1V cut slope (vs. standard 1H:1V) and identified slope instability history. This directly conditions drilling approval.
Monitoring Plan for Soil Stabilization Submitted (2018-10-17)
Burlington submitted binding monitoring plan (annual wellhead surveys via Form 4; weekly/monthly inspections during construction/production; reporting of any slope movement) directly responsive to landslide stipulation. Plan establishes permit execution framework.
Location Change via Form 4 (Surface Hole Relocation 45 feet north) (2018-10-02)
Surface location moved from originally proposed location to 381' FNL 293' FEL (45 feet north shift) with justification of North 50-foot setback based on production liner cemented in lateral with fully cemented shoe. This modification directly addressed regulatory setback and slope concerns.
Gas Capture Plan (GCP) Submitted - ONEOK Coordination (2018-01-10)
Operator certified meeting with ONEOK and provided anticipated first production (Q1 2020), production rates, flowback strategy, and compressor/processing capacity data. Required for all permit renewals and completion planning. Direct regulatory condition.
Open Hole Log Waiver Approved (Offset Well Correlation) (2015-12-07)
Waiver granted to run limited logs (GR from KOP to surface, CBL on production casing) rather than full suite, justified by full log suite run on offset well CCU North Coast 41-25MBH. Geologically-based exception directly supporting operational approval.
Historical Non-Routine Signals (5)
Corral Creek-Bakken Unit Formation and Development Plan Modifications (2011-10-12)
CCU Mainstreeter Quad (Pad S) was consolidated from original development plan to 8-well pad (4 North Coast + 4 Mainstreeter wells) to minimize surface disturbance in landslide area. This consolidation constraint persists and affects future development decisions, reclamation phasing, and facility coordination.
Little Missouri State Park Easement and Seasonal Operations Restrictions (2015-07-29)
Pad located on private land within LMSP boundaries subject to horseback trail reroutes and seasonal drilling windows. Ongoing coordination requirement with ND State Parks & Recreation affects operational windows and access management throughout well life.
Landslide Area Designation by North Dakota Geological Survey (NDGS) (2013-12-20)
Slopes north of pad show 'centuries' of previous landslide activity. Monitoring plan (annual surveys, 48-hour rainfall inspections, Spring Melt assessment, immediate reporting of wellhead shifting) continues indefinitely during production phase. Any observed movement triggers immediate NDIC notification and potential remedial action.
BLM Mineral Jurisdiction and Directional Well Penetration (2015-12-09)
Well laterals cross into BLM-administered mineral estate. Operator must maintain BLM drilling/completion authorization throughout well life. This restricts future lateral modifications and triggers federal reporting obligations parallel to state requirements.
Cores and Samples Preservation Requirement (2016-02-08)
Operator must collect and ship drill cuttings (30-foot intervals vertical/build, 100-foot intervals lateral) and any cores to ND Geological Survey within 30 days of drilling completion. Failure to comply incurs civil penalties up to $12,500 per violation per day. This obligation remains enforceable throughout operational record.
Historical Operator Profile
Total Wells:N/A
Active Wells:N/A
Notable Patterns:None identified
Confidence Assessment
Level: High Rationale: Well file contains explicit NDIC permit approval (February 5, 2016, renewed through 2018-2019), geotechnical evaluation by registered PE, signed monitoring plan from operator, Form 4 location modification documentation, and gas capture plan affidavits. Landslide area stipulation directly issued by NDIC Permit Manager (August 16, 2017) and acknowledged in operator's contemporaneous October 17, 2018 response. Survey plats certified by registered land surveyor (Quentin Obrigewitsch, N.D. No. 5999/6999). All dates and technical specifications are documented in original source materials. No contradictory signals or missing critical approvals.