File #42740 | Oasis Petroleum North America LLC | Mountrail County
API
3306105657
Target Formation
Middle Bakken
Permit Explained
Yes
Permit Cycle Assessment
The permit approval (2026-02-27) is explained by four permit-cycle signals: (1) Commission Order 34892 imposing a 150' setback from east/west boundaries and requiring east-west lateral alignment within a 5120-acre spacing unit; (2) regulator reliance on a wet-shoe cement design and fracturable shoe to justify that setback; (3) anticollision analysis demonstrating separations from offset laterals, including one Level 3 warning (1.262 SF) triggering heightened survey frequency requirements; and (4) a waiver from Order 31973 notification requirements because Oasis operates both the drilling location and adjacent spacing unit. These four elements—geometric constraint, completion design justification, collision risk management, and operator-control waiver—directly condition and explain this permit approval.
Permit Cycle Signals (4)
Commission Order No. 34892 conditioning approval on 150' setback from east & west boundaries and lateral alignment on east-west axis within defined 5120-acre spacing unit (2026-02-27)
Regulator-imposed geometric constraint directly conditioning the permit approval. Non-routine setback requirement tied to multi-section spacing unit geometry.
Production liner cemented with wet shoe and ability to frac out shoe—specified as basis for west setback approval (2026-02-27)
Specific completion design (wet shoe configuration) is explicitly tied to regulatory setback decision. Regulator relies on this technique to justify proximity to boundary.
Anticollision analysis required; operator confirmed 1.2 separation safety factor maintained in intermediate sections; surveys at 93–100' frequency in lateral; gamma ray identification of existing wellbores to avoid collision (2026-02-27)
Anticollision report summary shows closest approach separations as low as 1.262 SF (Level 3 warning) against GROVE FEDERAL 5892 31-33 2B. Permit approval conditions depend on real-time survey monitoring.
Waiver requested and implicitly approved for notification of adjacent operator under Order 31973 because Oasis is operator of adjacent spacing unit (2026-01-06)
Horizontal wellbore from off-spacing location enters adjacent pool outside target spacing unit. Waiver removes horizontal-specific notification burden because operator controls both units.
Historical Non-Routine Signals (4)
H2S may be present in Mission Canyon Formation; maximum anticipated bottom hole pressure ~5723 psi; maximum surface pressure ~3624 psi (Unknown)
H2S presence and elevated pressures constrain drilling operations, well design (casing grades, cement programs, pressure control equipment), and safety protocols. Persists through completion and flow-back operations.
Cores and samples must be submitted to State Geologist per ND Century Code 38-08-04; samples collected from Base of Last Charles Salt downward at 30' intervals (vertical/build) and 200' intervals (horizontal); civil penalty up to $12,500 per violation (2026-03-02)
Regulatory obligation continues through drilling completion and mandates sample submission within 30 days of completion, core submission within 180 days. Non-compliance triggers per-diem civil penalties.
Filter sock disposal: leak-proof, covered, placarded container required on-site beginning at spud through completion and flow-back operations effective June 1, 2014 (2014-06-01)
Ongoing operational requirement throughout drilling, completion, and flow-back. Violation cited under ND Administrative Code 43-02-03-19.2. Affects waste management logistics and site compliance.
Diesel-based stimulation fluid compounds explicitly prohibited; operator affirms non-use of CAS Registry Numbers 68334-30-5, 68476-34-6, 68476-30-2, 68476-31-3, 8008-20-6 (Unknown)
Constrains hydraulic stimulation design and fluid selection; persists through completion stage; non-compliance may trigger regulatory action under ND Administrative Code 43-02-03-19.2.
Historical Operator Profile
Total Wells:N/A
Active Wells:N/A
Notable Patterns:None identified
Confidence Assessment
Level: High Rationale: Permit approval date (2026-02-27) and all conditioning orders are explicit. Order 34892 is cited directly in permit stipulations. Anticollision report is comprehensive with published separation factors. Wet-shoe design is documented in drilling plan with regulator linkage in permit conditions. Waiver request for Order 31973 is dated and justified. All contemporaneous documents (cores/samples letter, filter sock directive, diesel restrictions) are dated and regulatory. No missing dates on permit-cycle signals.