File #41992 | HESS BAKKEN INVESTMENTS II, LLC | Mountrail County
API
3306105536
Target Formation
Middle Bakken
Permit Explained
Yes
Permit Cycle Assessment
The permit approval dated 2025-06-11 for EN-Edwards-157-94-2203H-2 is contemporaneously explained by five distinct permit-cycle signals. Commission Order No. 34114 directly conditions approval on setback compliance (150' N/S, 500' E/W) tied to production liner design with wet shoe and fracture-out capability—a non-routine geometric constraint. A phased drilling suspension (SOD) approved 2025-06-13 explains the two-rig execution timeline: small rig for surface casing, then 90-day hold pending larger rig mobilization to TD. Open hole log waiver (2025-06-12) is justified by proximate offset well WILL 14-23 providing sufficient formation tops. Anti-collision analysis (dated 2025-03-07, formalized in planning report) documents 1.5 SF separation standards and real-time survey protocols addressing 11 offset wells, with all but one meeting threshold. State Geologist letter (2025-06-16) imposes mandatory cuttings/core sampling to 30/180-day deadlines. All signals bind operational execution and justify regulatory approval.
Permit Cycle Signals (5)
Commission Order No. 34114 conditioning approval on setback compliance and pool definition (2025-06-11)
Direct regulatory order establishing mandatory 150' north/south and 500' east/west setback from spacing unit boundaries as condition of approval. Setback tied to production liner cemented with wet shoe design—non-routine completion constraint differentiating this approval.
Open Hole Log Waiver approved; offset well WILL 14-23 (NDIC# 5831) within 1 mile provides formation tops (2025-06-12)
Regulator-approved waiver eliminating open hole log requirement based on offset data sufficiency. Demonstrates contemporaneous regulatory justification for non-standard operational approach. GR-CBL from TD to ground level substitutes full suite.
Suspension of Drilling (SOD) approval under NDAC 43-02-03-55 for up to 90 days; small rig surface casing followed by larger rig (2025-06-13)
Engineered phased drilling approach approved by NDIC (reviewed by Dan Kuchar). Operator states intent to drill surface hole with freshwater mud and small rig, set casing, then suspend 90 days for larger rig mobilization to TD. Explicitly not intended to alter lease obligations. Non-standard execution plan conditioning the permit timeline.
Anti-Collision analysis documented with minimum 1.5 separation factor standard and survey frequency protocols (93–100' intervals) (2025-03-07)
Hess anti-collision standards and real-time survey methodology documented to justify lateral placement safety relative to 11 offset wells analyzed. Separation Factor analysis confirms all wells meeting 1.5 SF threshold except EN-Edwards-157-94-2203H-1 (SF=0.995, Level 1 warning). Justifies drill path approval despite tight spacing environment.
Cores and Samples collection requirement letter from State Geologist; sampling from Base of Last Charles Salt at 30' max vertical/200' max lateral intervals (2025-06-16)
Regulator-issued operational requirement conditioning approval. Mandatory submission of drill cuttings and cores to State Geological Survey within 30 days (samples) and 180 days (cores). Non-routine geologic documentation obligation tied to new permit.
Historical Non-Routine Signals (4)
Four plugged-and-abandoned wells (EN-Will Trust A-157-94-2734H-3 PA; EN-Will Trust A-157-94-2734H-1/2 as drilled offsets; existing pad infrastructure) within pad footprint create reclamation and offset constraints (Unknown)
Dry cuttings pit removal and existing facility demolition/relocation (power lines, light poles, tank farm, tracer pit) required before pre-drilling. Existing well pad and lineups affect final surface location and access route design. Impacts interim and final reclamation sequencing and long-term site closure obligations.
Surface Use Agreement with Edward L. Will Trust (executed 2025-01-15) permits off-spacing operations in Sections 3, 10, 15, 22 T157N-R94W for EN-Edwards wells and Sections 15, 22 for EN-Will Trust C wells (2025-01-15)
SUA is foundational lease condition for all off-spacing laterals drilled from this pad. Any changes to lateral trajectory, target sections, or multi-well stacking require landowner consent review. Persists as binding operational constraint throughout well life and post-abandonment reclamation.
Multi-well pad development: EN-Edwards-157-94-2203H-1, H-2 plus EN-Will Trust A-157-94-2734H-4, H-5 and EN-Will Trust C-157-94-2215H-4, H-5, H-6 (seven wells total from single surface location) (Unknown)
Phased drilling schedule and shared infrastructure (pad, tank farm, electric/fiber) create cross-well dependencies for construction sequencing, reclamation, and simultaneous operations compliance (NDAC 43-02-03-28). Mutual offset risk and spacing-unit coordination obligations persist across all seven wells and adjacent units (2734 and 2215 spacing units).
Diesel fuel affidavit dated 2025-04-21 confirming Halliburton does not use CAS registry diesel fuels (68334-30-5, 68476-34-6, etc.) in HF activities—covers all Hess Bakken wells in ND (2025-04-21)
Compliance commitment addressing restricted chemical use in hydraulic fracturing under North Dakota environmental regulations. Applies to all completions on this well and constrains supplier selection and treatment fluid composition for fracture stimulation stage and any future workover operations.
Historical Operator Profile
Total Wells:N/A
Active Wells:N/A
Notable Patterns:None identified
Confidence Assessment
Level: High Rationale: Well file contains comprehensive, date-stamped regulatory correspondence (APD approval 2025-06-11, waivers 2025-06-12, SOD approval 2025-06-13, cores/samples letter 2025-06-16) with named NDIC reviewers, executed SUA, engineering planning reports, anti-collision analysis, and drilling prognosis. Permit-cycle signals are directly linked to Commission Order 34114 and NDAC regulations. No date ambiguity on primary permit approval. OCR quality is high. Historical constraints (PA wells, multi-well pad, SUA, fuel compliance) are clearly documented with supporting evidence. Temporal distinction between permit-cycle (time-bound to 2025-06-11 approval) and persistent obligations (SUA, shared infrastructure, supplier protocols) is clear.