🛢️ HBU Baptiste Federal 34X-11C

XTO Energy Inc. · Williams County, ND · File #41553 · Generated 2026-02-13 12:33

API: 33-105-06429
Target Formation: Middle Bakken
Permit Explained: Yes

📋 Permit Cycle Assessment

The permit approval (Dirt Work Date 01/01/2025; File Number 41553) is directly supported by a contemporaneous regulatory record. The Application for Permit for New Well (Horizontal) establishes the baseline well geometry, setbacks (with relief conditions), and closed mud system requirement. Three non-routine waivers predate drilling: (1) SOD waiver (04/02/2025) explicitly authorizing the two-phase drilling sequence (small rig surface, main rig curve/lateral within 90 days); (2) Open Hole Log waiver (02/13/2025) substituting offset log data; (3) Tubing/Packer waiver (12/01/2025, post-TD) conditioning completion design to casing burst safety factors and monitoring. The Bakken setback stipulation ties the 50-ft south boundary to the cemented liner design with no frac-out capability, creating a direct causal link between permit approval and completion strategy. Spud date (06/28/2025) and TD (11/19/2025) fall within the SOD window and regulatory time frames. No gaps identified in permit justification; all material conditions are documented and dated.

🔍 Permit Cycle Signals (5)

Tubing/Packer Waiver (NDAC 43-02-03-21) approved with safety assurances tied to 32# 7" casing, 0.80 API burst safety factor, monitoring during frac, and immediate detection protocols.

Direct

📄 WELL SUNDRY FORM FILE NUMBER 41553, FORM ID 285585
📅 2025-12-01 (Exact confidence)

Non-routine waiver condition that directly enables completion design and fracture stimulation; constrains pressure limits and requires active monitoring. Approved effective 12/01/2025, anchoring post-drilling operational protocol.

Suspension of Drilling (SOD) waiver approved for 90 days under NDAC 43-02-03-55. Operator permitted to use small rig for surface casing placement (freshwater mud), then mobilize primary rig within 90 days for curve and lateral drilling.

Direct

📄 WELL SUNDRY FORM FILE NUMBER 41553, FORM ID 239540
📅 2025-04-02 (Exact confidence)

Establishes two-phase drilling protocol (surface hole / main hole) explicitly permitted and conditioned. Directly explains drilling schedule flexibility and operational sequencing. Approved 04/02/2025; spud occurred 06/28/2025 (within allowed window).

Open Hole Log Waiver approved under NDIC Rule 43-02-03-31. Operator waived requirement for open hole logs based on offset well HBU Baptiste Federal 34X-11H (within 1 mile) having sufficient logs to establish formation tops. GR-CBL from TD to ground level on this well.

Supporting

📄 WELL SUNDRY FORM FILE NUMBER 41553, FORM ID 231705
📅 2025-02-13 (Exact confidence)

Waiver conditions efficiency based on pad offset control. Non-routine because it substitutes offset data for direct logging; approved 02/13/2025, predating drilling.

Bakken Setback Stipulation tied to production liner cemented in lateral with fully cemented shoe and no frac-out capability. South setback (50 ft) conditional on this casing design; north, east, west setbacks (150 ft, 500 ft, 500 ft) unconditional.

Direct

📄 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR NEW WELL - HORIZONTAL, STIPULATIONS section
📅 2025-01-01 (Inferred confidence)

Setback relief contingent on specific completion design; differs from routine setback language because it ties pressure containment strategy to boundary proximity. Permit issued with dirt work date 01/01/2025.

Closed mud system with no cuttings pit required per Permit Review Policy; Remote or automatic shutoff devices required on all equipment.

Supporting

📄 APPLICATION FOR PERMIT FOR NEW WELL - HORIZONTAL, STIPULATIONS section
📅 2025-01-01 (Inferred confidence)

Standard permitting language but explicitly stated as condition of approval. Aligns with waste management and safety baseline.

📖 Historical Context (6)

Federal mineral interest in Hofflund-Bakken Unit (spacing unit includes Sections 14, 23, 26, T154N, R95W for this well). Email from NDIC to Kelly Bryant (01/23/2025) flags potential BLM permit requirement and directs contact to BLM Dickinson office.
📄 Email from NDIC Engineering Technician Doug Jackson to Kelly Bryant, dated 01/23/2025 · 📅 2025-01-23
Federal permits or approvals may be required in parallel or prior to state well operations if mineral interests are present. Operator must verify BLM compliance. Persistent obligation beyond state permitting.

Off-Unit Location Affidavit (Nicole Bement, Surface Landman, 07/11/2024) documents Surface Damage Agreement with Hahn Family Trust for 8-well pad (HBU Baptiste Fed 34X-11D, B, G, C, H and HBU Baptiste 34X-11E, A). Well surface location in SE¼ Section 11; spacing unit spans Sections 12–28, 35 (N½ 36) in T154N, R95W.
📄 AFFIDAVIT FOR OFF UNIT LOCATION, signed 07/11/2024 · 📅 2025-07-11
Surface damage agreement is a landowner obligation that persists through drilling and completion. If disputes arise or terms are breached, operator liability extends beyond permit period. Affirms negotiated surface rights as prerequisite to operations.

Statement of Well Protection (Ryan Carlson, Wells Drilling Engineer, 11/11/2024) commits XTO to anti-collision survey review and lateral spacing management for HBU Baptiste Federal 34X-11 pad prior to drilling 34X-11A, E and 34X-11B, C, D, G, H.
📄 STATEMENT OF WELL PROTECTION, dated 11/11/2024 · 📅 2025-11-11
Engineering obligation to execute anti-collision programs and manage lateral proximity. Failure to perform could result in well-to-well collision, loss of zones, or regulatory sanction. Operational requirement that persists throughout drilling phase and informs pad execution sequence.

Waiver Request for NDIC Orders 31848 & 31973 (06/14/2024): XTO requests waiver of wellbore information disclosure to offset operators because XTO is the offset operator (Section 11, T154N, R95W).
📄 Waiver Request NDIC Order 31848 & 31973, dated 06/14/2024, signed by Kelly Bryant · 📅 2025-06-14
If approved, waiver exempts operator from sharing wellbore data with competitors/third parties in spacing unit. Confidentiality status affects future offset development and regulatory transparency. Material to competitive advantage and operational flexibility on the pad.

Cores and Samples Letter (Ross Edison, State Geologist, 02/03/2025): Operator required to submit all cores, core chips, samples to State Geologist per NDCC 38-08-04 and NDAC 43-02-03-38.1. Samples collected from Base Last Charles Salt at 30-ft intervals (vertical/build) and 200-ft intervals (lateral); boxes forwarded within 30 days of completion. Core submission deadline 180 days post-completion.
📄 CORES AND SAMPLES letter, signed by Ross Edison, dated 02/03/2025 · 📅 2025-02-03
Statutory obligation to preserve and archive geological materials. Non-compliance incurs civil penalty up to $12,500 per violation (each day separate offense). Compliance deadline (30 days post-drilling, 180 days for cores) creates operational and financial obligation extending into 2026. Affects well completion timeline and budget.

Affidavit for Hydraulic Fracture (Kevin Gant, Bakken Operations Manager, 03/31/2025): XTO attests no diesel fuel (CAS 68334-30-5 or related fuel codes) will be used in hydraulic fracturing. UIC Class II injection permit required prior to frac operations.
📄 AFFIDAVIT FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURE, signed by Kevin Gant, dated 03/31/2025 · 📅 2025-03-31
Regulatory constraint on frac fluid composition with penalty for violation. UIC permit requirement adds approval step prior to stimulation. Affects frac design chemical selection and timeline; persists through completion and production phases.

🔧 Operator Pattern

XTO Energy Inc. (ExxonMobil subsidiary) operates as integrated pad developer with coordinated legal, engineering, and regulatory functions. Multi-well pad strategy (8 wells from single location) indicates economies of scale and risk mitigation through lateral co-development.
['Application covers HBU Baptiste Federal 34X-11 pad family (34X-11A through 34X-11H, with 34X-11C as 7th well); single surface damage agreement negotiated for all 8 wells (Hahn Family Trust affidavit, 07/11/2024).', 'Regulatory leadership assigned: Kelly Bryant (Regulatory Lead), Nicole Bement (Surface Landman), Ryan Carlson (Wells Drilling Engineer), Kevin Gant (Bakken Operations Manager) all named in permit file, indicating specialized roles and internal resource depth.', 'Proactive waiver strategy: SOD waiver (small rig surface, main rig later), Open Hole Log waiver (offset substitution), Tubing/Packer waiver (completion design flexibility), and NDIC Orders 31848/31973 waiver (information confidentiality) demonstrate operator familiarity with regulatory discretion and cost/schedule optimization.', 'Emergency response protocol formalized: XTO Bakken Emergency Response document (undated but current) includes named incident commanders, spill inventory, and detailed IMT positions, indicating mature HSE operational culture.']

Confidence: High
Permit record is complete and internally consistent. Dirt Work Date (01/01/2025), spud date (06/28/2025), and TD date (11/19/2025) are documented and sequenced logically. Three material waivers (SOD, Open Hole Log, Tubing/Packer) predate drilling and are explicitly approved with stated rationale. Setback stipulation ties directly to casing design disclosed in permit schematic. Well survey, directional survey, geological log, and sundry notices all present and cross-referenced. No conflicting dates or missing approvals identified. Historical signals (federal mineral interest, surface damage, anti-collision, cores/samples, frac affidavit) are contemporaneous with permit cycle and create persistent operational obligations. Operator profile consistent across all documents; regulatory submissions show no inconsistencies or red flags.