By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Nov. 3 -- Brigham Exploration Co., Austin, acquired a 100% working interest in 46,000 acres in the Mississippian Middle Bakken formation in northwestern North Dakota and could spud its first well late this year.
The acreage, for which Brigham paid $4.6 million, is 20-40 miles east of teeming Bakken horizontal drilling in Richland County, Mont. (OGJ Online, June 28, 2005).
Operators have completed 227 Bakken wells in 324 sq miles at which initial flow rates averaged 345 b/d of oil. Estimated ultimate recovery is 376,000 bbl/well, and cumulative production has averaged 112,000 bbl/well, Brigham said.
The wells generally have 4,000-9,000-ft laterals at 11,000 ft TVD.
Outlays for drilling in so-called nonconventional plays could make up 25% of Brigham's 2006 capital budget, the company said.
