🛢️ MS-Opdahl 31-32H MB

Murex Petroleum Corporation · Burke County, ND · File #42707 · Generated 2026-02-13 12:33

API: 3301302015
Target Formation: Middle Bakken
Permit Explained: Yes

📋 Permit Cycle Assessment

The permit approval dated 2026-02-11 is conditioned on Order No. 34020 setback compliance with documented technical justification for non-standard east boundary (100' vs. standard 150') based on wet shoe completion design that prevents fracture treatment communication with uncemented annulus. Logging waivers and anticollision clearance satisfy pre-drilling technical requirements. Surface Use Agreement (2024-06-01) provides landowner authorization for surface occupation and off-spacing drilling rights. All contemporaneous permit-cycle documentation explains or justifies approval conditions.

🔍 Permit Cycle Signals (5)

Commission Order No. 34020 conditions approval on setback compliance: 500' north/south, 150' west, 100' east boundaries within 1280-acre spacing unit (Sections 31-32, T159N, R94W)

Direct

📄 APD Page 1, Stipulations - NDIC Field Order Info
📅 2026-02-11 (Exact confidence)

Order No. 34020 is the direct regulatory anchor conditioning this permit's approval. Setback variances (particularly 100' east boundary, justified by wet shoe design) are non-routine and explicitly tied to completion geometry.

Bakken Setback Summary Statement: East setback (100') based on production liner cemented in lateral with wet shoe and no ability to frac out shoe. This justifies deviation from standard 150' east boundary setback.

Direct

📄 APD Page 1, Stipulations - Bakken Setback Summary Statement
📅 2026-02-11 (Exact confidence)

Wet shoe completion design is a non-routine technical feature that directly justifies a reduced setback. This stipulation bridges well geometry to regulatory boundary relief, demonstrating permit-specific engineering rationale.

Logging waiver approved: no open hole logs will be run unless hydrocarbon shows are seen in vertical hole. Porosity and resistivity log waivers must be requested via separate sundry notice.

Direct

📄 Drilling Program, ELECTRIC LOGGING PROGRAM section; APD Page 3, Proposed Logs table
📅 2026-02-11 (Exact confidence)

Waiver approval is integral to permit conditions and reflects operator request deviating from standard NDIC 43-02-03-31 logging requirements. Operator acknowledgment on APD (Page 9) confirms understanding that changes to completion technique within Bakken system require prior NDIC approval.

Anticollision analysis completed with separation factors ranging 1.79–7.65 (all above Level 1 warning threshold of 1.0). Closest approach to MS-Julia Aristotle 1-12H MB lateral: 89.98 ft separation factor 5.52 at 2,300 ft measured depth.

Supporting

📄 Taktikal Directional Anticollision Report, Summary and Offset Design tables
📅 2026-01-11 (Exact confidence)

Anticollision clearance is mandatory pre-approval deliverable for horizontal wells. The analysis demonstrates technical adequacy to avoid offset wells on the same pad and adjacent units, supporting permit issuance without collision-related holds.

Surface Use Agreement executed 2024-06-01 with surface owners Dwight V. & Linda D. Pederson authorizing use of W2SW4 Section 31 for well sites, tank batteries, and off-spacing drilling rights in accordance with state/federal law.

Supporting

📄 Affidavit of Jake Scott, Landman, dated 2024-10-29
📅 2024-06-01 (Exact confidence)

Surface Use Agreement is required pre-condition for drilling operations. Agreement explicitly authorizes off-spacing operations and multi-well pad development (minimum 2 wells planned), removing material legal impediment to permit approval.

📖 Historical Context (4)

Wet shoe hydraulic set hanger completion design with planned Plug & Perf frac strategy. Liner top set at +/-8798' MD with wiper plug seating in wet shoe sub at 19,829' MD; frac plug isolation below lowest planned perforation (19,599'–19,719' Stage 1 interval).
📄 Drilling Program, Wet Shoe Schematic and Completion Intervals; Casing Program and Features & Cement sections · 📅 Unknown
Wet shoe design creates operational constraint: production liner cannot be fractured beyond wet shoe boundary. Any future sidetrack, plug-back, or completion interval modification must account for this isolation methodology. Operator acknowledgment (APD Page 8) confirms consultation requirement with NDIC Field Inspector if sidetrack occurs.

Tioga-Bakken Pool definition: interval from 50 feet above top of Bakken Formation to above top of Birdbear Formation. Well completed in Middle Bakken (9300' TVD) within defined pool; pool rules and spacing (1280 acres, Sections 31-32) govern future drilling and development.
📄 APD Page 1, Stipulations - NDIC Field Order Info (pool definition) · 📅 Unknown
Pool definition and 1280-acre spacing unit are persistent operational boundaries affecting future well placement, drilling density, and allocation disputes. Any off-spacing drilling on adjacent units requires Order No. 34020 compliance verification and potential Commission review.

Affidavit of Scott Nonhof (VP, MPC) dated 2026-02-09 confirms directional drilling and completion plan (including trajectory, casing, cement details) was provided to Continental Resources, Inc. (adjacent unit operator, Sections 25 & 36-T159N-R95W) per Order No. 31848 compliance, with approximate spud date and MPC contact information.
📄 Affidavit of Factual Information, Scott Nonhof, dated 2026-02-09 · 📅 Unknown
Order No. 31848 inter-operator notification obligation persists throughout drilling and completion phases. Any material change to directional trajectory, casing design, or completion strategy must be re-disclosed to Continental Resources per order terms. Failure to notify could expose operator to regulatory or contractual liability.

Kinder Morgan gas gathering capability affidavit (2026-01-13) confirms peak production design of 3,600 Mcf/d from four-well pad (MS-Melanie Suzette 1-12H MB, MS-Julia Aristotle 1-12H MB, MS-Opdahl 31-32H MB, MS-Karen Sue 31-32H MB) with adequate infrastructure upon lead time notice.
📄 Affidavit of Ty Jackson, Marketing Manager, dated 2026-01-13 · 📅 Unknown
Gas sales and gathering commitment is contingent on timely operator notification and lead time coordination. Delays in pad development or unexpected production ramp could trigger renegotiation with Kinder Morgan or require alternative sales outlets, affecting project economics and operational timeline.

🔧 Operator Pattern

Murex Petroleum Corporation demonstrates multi-well development capability with coordinated pad layout (four wells planned on Opdahl-Karen Sue Pad), formal inter-operator coordination (Order 31848 compliance), and third-party commercial engagement (Kinder Morgan gathering). However, file does not contain prior well performance data, regulatory violation history, or compliance audit records that would establish historical trend.
Affidavits from VP Scott Nonhof, Marketing Manager Ty Jackson, and Landman Jake Scott dated Q4 2025 to Q1 2026 confirm active project development, surface rights procurement, and commercial coordination. No historical non-compliance notices, civil penalties, or prior permit rejections are documented in file.

Confidence: High
Permit file is complete and contemporaneous. APD is dated 2026-02-11 (permit approval date matches). Order No. 34020 is explicitly cited in permit conditions. Wet shoe design is documented in drilling program with technical schematic. Anticollision report is dated 2026-01-11 (contemporaneous to permit cycle). Surface Use Agreement is dated 2024-06-01 (pre-permit, required). Inter-operator affidavit is dated 2026-02-09 (one business day before approval). All material permit-cycle signals are substantiated by primary documents with dates, signatories, and regulatory cross-references. No material contradictions or ambiguities in document set.