🛢️ MH Hecker 1-11H

Murfin Drilling Company, Inc. · Dunn County, ND · File #41918 · Generated 2026-02-13 12:33

API: 3302505085
Target Formation: Middle Bakken
Permit Explained: Partially

📋 Permit Cycle Assessment

The file contains explicit regulatory justification for the critical completion method modification (Form 259753, dated 07/23/2025) that directly explains the approval trigger. The waiver approval for the 100' toe setback and wet-shoe completion design is clearly documented and signed by reviewer Emma Neigum on 07/23/2025, establishing that wellbore geometry—specifically the drilled toe location (10772.99' N BHL vs. maximum legal 10804' N)—required a structural change from the original permitted design. The drilling operations narrative (geological and directional surveys) provides supporting context for why multiple sidetracks and lateral excursions necessitated this completion modification. However, the original APD approval (dated 05/15/2025) predates the completion method change request and does not contain language that pre-authorized the specific wet-shoe design with no frac-out capability. The first production notification (01/13/2026) confirms the well operated under the modified completion design.

🔍 Permit Cycle Signals (3)

Completion method change with 100' setback requirement at toe

Direct

📄 Sundry Form (Form 4) FORM ID: 259753, dated 07/23/2025; 'Change in Completion Method' waiver request
📅 07/23/2025 (Exact confidence)

The sundry explicitly conditions approval on 'wet shoe with no ability to frac out of the shoe completion' and requires a 100' setback at the toe to remain legal (max coordinate 10804' N vs. drilled 10772.99' N). This directly modified the original permitted completion design and explicitly tied approval to specific wellbore geometry constraints.

Multiple sidetrack operations and wellbore geometry excursions during drilling execution

Supporting

📄 Geological Summary and Directional Survey Reports, dated 6/12/2025 - 7/1/2025; section 'Horizontal Wellbore' describing shale strikes, sidetracks, and drilling challenges
📅 06/28/2025 - 06/30/2025 (Inferred confidence)

Drilling operations encountered unplanned shale strikes at 11,152' MD, 11,406' MD in the Upper Bakken and Middle Bakken, requiring two open-hole sidetracks (ST#1 and ST#2). The completion method waiver (requiring a fully cemented shoe with wet sub and no frac-out capability) directly addressed the need to control stimulation in a laterally complex wellbore with multiple drilling excursions.

First production notification and well status change to 'Producing'

Supporting

📄 Sundry Form (Form 4) FORM ID: 292925, dated 01/14/2026; 'Notification of Work Performed' - Well Status Update
📅 01/13/2026 (Exact confidence)

Well achieved first production on 01/13/2026 with status changed to 'Producing' on 01/15/2026. This confirms successful completion of the approved well design (with completion method waiver) and validates that the 100' toe setback requirement and wet-shoe completion design achieved regulatory compliance.

📖 Historical Context (3)

Original APD approved with fully cemented shoe and no frac-out capability (standard completion design)
📄 Application for Permit for New Well - Horizontal (APD), dated 05/15/2025; STIPULATIONS section and COMPLETION PERFORATIONS detail (pages 1, 5) · 📅 05/15/2025
The original permit stipulation stated 'The north setback is based on a production liner cemented in the lateral with a fully cemented shoe and no ability to frac out the shoe.' This was the baseline design requirement. The July 2025 completion method waiver request introduced an operational variation (wet shoe sub utilized to pump perforating guns) that was explicitly NOT for wellbore stimulation. This establishes a persistent operational constraint: the wet shoe sub cannot be used for hydraulic stimulation activities and is limited to perforation gun pumping only.

Filter sock container waiver approved for all phases
📄 Sundry Form (Form 4) FORM ID: 247998, dated 05/16/2025; 'Filter Sock Container Waiver' · 📅 05/16/2025
Waiver approved by Dan Kuchar allows operator to defer filter sock container placement until drill-out portion of completion operations. This reduces on-site containment requirements during drilling and interim phases but establishes that filtration operations must have a compliant container when they commence. The waiver does not extend to flowback operations or other completion phases.

Open hole log waiver approved based on offset well data (Hecker 1-15A, NDIC File 8396)
📄 Sundry Form (Form 4) FORM ID: 247996, dated 05/16/2025; 'Open Hole Log Waiver' · 📅 05/16/2025
Waiver approved by Ross Edison allows operator to forego open hole logs and rely on offset formation tops. However, a GR-CBL log from TD to ground level remains required. This establishes a forward obligation: a cased-hole cement bond log must be run across the full hole interval to validate cement quality and formation isolation.

🔧 Operator Pattern

Murfin Drilling Company demonstrates proactive regulatory engagement and adaptive completion design modifications in response to drilling execution challenges.
Within ~2 months of initial permit approval (05/15/2025), Murfin identified wellbore geometry constraints during drilling (multiple sidetracks, shale strikes, lateral excursions by late June 2025) and submitted a structured completion method waiver (Form 259753, 07/23/2025) that was approved within the same day of submission. The operator also submitted multiple pre-drilling waivers (filter sock container, open hole logs) that demonstrate compliance-focused planning. The geological/directional survey reports document comprehensive real-time monitoring and adaptive drilling decisions (BHA changes, sidetrack sequencing, mud system adjustments) that align with the final approved completion design.

Confidence: High
The well file contains authoritative regulatory documents (APD approval, Form 4 sundry notices with reviewer signatures and dates) that directly establish permit conditions and post-approval modifications. The completion method waiver (Form 259753) explicitly references wellbore geometry constraints (10772.99' N actual vs. 10804' N legal maximum) and is signed and dated by NDIC reviewer Emma Neigum (07/23/2025). Directional survey reports and geological logs provide contemporaneous drilling documentation (surveyed 06/12/2025 - 07/01/2025) that validate the drilling challenges and lateral complexity. First production notification (01/13/2026) confirms well status transition. All dates are explicit and internally consistent. No contradictory documents identified.