🛢️ TUFTO 6-7-18-19F 4TFH

DEVON ENERGY WILLISTON, L.L.C · Williams County, ND · File #3310506798 · Generated 2026-02-13 12:33

API: 3310506798
Target Formation: Bakken-Three Forks Petroleum System
Permit Explained: Yes

📋 Permit Cycle Assessment

The permit approval on 02/06/2026 is supported by multiple regulator-issued conditions and stipulations. Permit issuance is directly explained by: (1) aquifer location triggering closed-mud-system and impermeable-liner mandates with inspector oversight; (2) Mowry Formation hazard requiring prohibition on surface-casing deviation and continuous mud logging; (3) three-point cement bond log verification protocol with zero-pressure-pass requirement and director notification clause for anomalous pressures, indicating regulator risk mitigation for casing isolation in this well geometry; (4) Bakken pool-specific asymmetric setback constraints (150' N/S, 500' E/W) within the defined 2560-acre spacing unit; and (5) Federal permit coordination flag requiring parallel BLM consultation. No material pre-permit technical waiver or operator assertion was denied. All operator acknowledgments (anticollision review, dwelling notice, survey frequency, spill contingency) were affirmed as submitted, indicating no conditional waiver or dispute resolved at approval. The permit conditions are proportionate to the stated well geometry (4-string casing design, lateral-phase target in Bakken-Three Forks, 31,531 feet measured depth) and regulatory environment (aquifer protection, Mowry hazard zone, multi-well pad context).

🔍 Permit Cycle Signals (5)

Mowry Formation penetration prohibition with mud logging requirement on 17-1/2-inch surface hole

Direct

📄 Conditions of Approval section; Permit Review Policy statement
📅 02/06/2026 (Exact confidence)

Regulator-imposed constraint preventing intentional deviation in surface casing and mandating continuous mud logging (30' sample intervals minimum) from ground level to TD of 17-1/2-inch hole. This is a non-standard operational requirement tied to specific geological hazard.

Cement Bond Log (CBL) requirements with zero-pressure pass verification on three casing strings and director notification protocol for unusual pressures

Direct

📄 Conditions of Approval section; Cement Bond Log subsection
📅 02/06/2026 (Exact confidence)

Three separate CBL mandates (13-3/8-inch surface casing, 9-5/8-inch intermediate, and 7-inch production casing) with mandatory zero-pressure pass and immediate director notification requirement if unusual pressures encountered. Indicates regulator concern over casing isolation specific to well geometry or offset well performance.

Bakken setback stipulation: 150-foot north/south and 500-foot east/west boundaries within 2560-acre spacing unit (Sections 6, 7, 18, 19, T155N, R100W)

Direct

📄 Stipulations section; Bakken Setback Summary Statement
📅 02/06/2026 (Exact confidence)

Regulator-imposed lateral placement constraint tied to specific spacing unit geometry. Non-routine asymmetric setback (150' vs. 500') indicates field-specific or pool-specific drilling unit rule implementation.

Aquifer protection stipulation: Closed mud system with no drilling pit and impermeable liner required on entire location; on-site NDIC inspection required with site-specific stipulation conditions

Direct

📄 Conditions of Approval section; Aquifer stipulation subsection
📅 02/06/2026 (Exact confidence)

Regulator determination that well pad is located on aquifer triggers mandatory closed-loop system and inspectable impermeable containment. Conditioning approval on inspector verification of compliance.

Federal permit coordination flag: Spacing unit may be subject to BLM permit; operator instructed to contact BLM Dickinson office

Supporting

📄 BLM coordination letter from Emma V. Neigum, NDIC Engineering Technician
📅 Unknown (Missing confidence)

NDIC flagged potential Federal jurisdiction requiring parallel BLM permit processing. Document does not confirm BLM permit issued or its conditions, but signals Federal overlay to state permit.

📖 Historical Context (3)

NDIC Field Order 31973 obligation: Operator required to notify adjacent spacing-unit operators of directional drilling and completion plan, trajectory, formation tops, drilling commencement date, and contact information
📄 Devon notification letter to adjacent spacing-unit operator; NDIC Order 31973 reference · 📅 Unknown
Standing regulatory obligation to share directional drilling data with offset operators. Devon satisfied requirement by self-notification (Devon is operator of adjacent spacing unit). Obligation persists for future well operations on adjacent acreage and constrains operator communication protocol during drilling phase.

Surface use agreement requirement for off-spacing wellhead: Landowner affidavit confirms Wade A. Smith and Melissa C. Smith awareness of off-spacing drilling from Section 31 surface location into Sections 6, 7, 18, 19 laterally
📄 Affidavit of Landowner Awareness; State of North Dakota notarized statements dated June 20, 2026 and 01/30/2025 · 📅 01/30/2025 | June 20, 2026
Surface location in Section 31 with lateral target extending into adjacent sections requires documented landowner consent. Affidavit confirms awareness but does not substitute for executed surface use agreement. This obligation affects pad development sequencing and landowner relationship management through drilling and completion phases.

Occupied dwelling proximity stipulation: Wells within 1,000 feet of occupied dwelling; production facilities location distance from dwelling must be confirmed greater than wellbore distance per NDCC 43-02-03-16
📄 Operator Assertions section; Dwelling notification letter dated 01/30/2025; Conditions of Approval reference to NDCC 43-02-03-16 · 📅 01/30/2025
Dwelling setback constraint remains operational throughout drilling, completion, and production phases. Flare, tank, and treater locations must maintain compliance geometry. Future well pad expansions or facility relocations must reference this constraint.

🔧 Operator Pattern

Devon Energy Williston operates multiple wells in same spacing unit with coordinated multi-well pad development strategy; uses wet-shoe completion design with frac-out capability; commits to regulatory compliance and early stakeholder communication (landowner, adjacent operators, regulators).
Well file references Tufto Production Plat, TUFTO 6-7-18-19F 3H and TUFTO 6-7-18-19F 2TFH as co-located wells; Devon notified adjacent spacing-unit operator proactively; executed landowner affidavit; selected heater vendor (Steffes or JW Williams) pre-spud; confirmed closed-loop drilling mud system and diesel-exclusion list for hydraulic stimulation.

Confidence: High
Permit approval date is explicit (02/06/2026); all regulator-issued stipulations and conditions are clearly labeled and dated in the permit document; operator assertions and affidavits are notarized and dated; well geometry, casing design, and target formation are fully specified; aquifer location is stated as fact requiring mandatory protections; Mowry Formation hazard is explicitly called out in permit conditions; no contradictions between regulatory orders and operator submissions; three directional survey plats and well-location plat provide measured geometry confirming approval. OCR quality on tabular sections is degraded but condition statements and approval signature block are readable. BLM coordination letter lacks explicit confirmation of Federal permit issuance, creating minor data gap on parallel permitting process, but does not affect state-level permit-cycle assessment.