File #41433 | Whiting Oil and Gas Corporation | McKenzie County
API
3305310459
Target Formation
Middle Bakken
Permit Explained
Yes
Permit Cycle Assessment
The permit approval (12/17/2024) is justified by contemporaneous technical and regulatory submissions. The approval is conditioned on: (1) an approved open hole log waiver (05/20/2025) supported by offset well data; (2) State Geologist mandate for core/sample preservation (12/18/2024); (3) anti-collision analysis demonstrating safe separation from eight offset wells and one key regional offset; (4) setback geometry tied to wet-shoe completion design for economic first-stage perforating; and (5) acknowledgment of adjacent spacing unit trajectory per Commission Orders 31848/31973. All permit stipulations (150'/1220' setbacks, closed mud system, remote shutoff devices, conductor-only authorization, perimeter berm, H2S monitoring protocols) are standard for Bakken horizontal development and are not differentiated by non-routine conditions in this case. The well reached total depth on 10/21/2025 and is awaiting completion.
Permit Cycle Signals (5)
Open Hole Log Waiver approved under NDIC Rule 43-02-03-31 (05/20/2025)
Waiver explicitly conditions permit approval. Operator justified exemption by reference to offset well (Winfield Federal 1-23H within 1 mile) with sufficient open logs. GR-CBL to be run from TD to ground level as compensatory requirement.
Cores and Samples collection mandate issued by State Geologist (12/18/2024)
Regulator-issued order conditioning drilling operations. Specifies 30' intervals vertical/build sections, 200' intervals lateral. Samples due to State Core Library within 30 days of drilling completion; cores within 180 days. Violation penalty up to $12,500/day.
Permit approval with stipulated setback geometry and wet-shoe completion configuration (12/17/2024)
Commission Order No. 32449 grants approval conditional on 150' setback (north/south) and 1220' setback (east/west) within 1920-acre spacing unit. Wetted annulus design (400' uncemented liner toe zone) explicitly justified for economic first-stage perforating method. North setback based on cemented production liner with wet shoe and fracture-out capability.
Anti-collision analysis and 1.2 separation safety factor mandated (10/11/2023)
Analysis required by NDIC permit conditions. Chord software guidance with real-time corrected surveys and gamma-ray identification of existing wellbores. All offset wells (2B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10BX, and Winfield Federal 1-23H) evaluated with minimum separation factors ranging 1.913 to 14.658 (all above 1.2 threshold). Survey frequency specified: 93–100' lateral intervals, increases near crossings.
Federal mineral intersect notification and adjacent spacing unit notification (12/10/2024)
Wellbore trajectory enters Bakken Petroleum System outside target spacing unit (Section 23-150N-103W). Whiting is self-operator of adjacent unit; therefore exemption applies. BLM Dickinson office contact required for federal permits. Directional plan and formation tops provided per Order requirements.
Historical Non-Routine Signals (3)
Five-well pad development within National Forest System Lands surface ownership (2023-2024)
Public lands surface ownership (National Forest System Lands at Watford City, ND) carries forward permits/stipulations beyond drilling. Pad construction and reclamation liability remain governed by National Forest and BIA right-of-way requirements (50' BIA offset, 33' private offset noted on access road sheets). This constrains future pad reclamation work and access restrictions during lease term.
Indirect heater with setback exemption (Case No. 28949, Order No. 31500) (Pre-permit (prior to 12/17/2024))
Non-standard facility waiver permitting indirect heater within 60' wellhead and 21' oil tank. Exemption is tied to design approval and remains operational constraint if facility configuration changes post-completion. Dike construction with impermeable base material remains mandatory.
H2S potential in Mission Canyon Formation; maximum anticipated BHP ~6,467 psi, surface ~4,096 psi (Pre-spud (08/03/2023))
Formation pressure and H2S hazard persist across well life. H2S monitoring (Nate Linde assigned wellsite) and vent/flare line layout (per H2S layout plat) are ongoing operational protocols. Pressure control equipment specification (5M system, 11' double-gate BOP, annular preventer, 5,000 psi casing/tubing heads) established by permit and remains basis for completion/workover design.
Historical Operator Profile
Total Wells:N/A
Active Wells:N/A
Notable Patterns:None identified
Confidence Assessment
Level: High Rationale: Permit approval date (12/17/2024) is explicitly stated. All permit-cycle documents (waiver 05/20/2025, drill plan 08/03/2023, State Geologist letter 12/18/2024, anti-collision 10/11/2023) are dated and directly reference permit conditions or are incorporated by regulatory order. Well operations summary (spud 09/14/2025, TD 10/21/2025) confirms contemporaneous execution. No material date gaps or contradictions. OCR quality is acceptable; formation tops, casing design, and directional geometry are internally consistent across multiple documents.