7,281 wells across 432 active operators, with 2,138 drilling permits filed in the last 24 months.
Refreshed monthly from NDIC well-header records. Data current as of 2026-08-07.
Quick answer: The Williston Basin formation in North Dakota has 7,281 wells on record across 432 active operators, with 2,138 drilling permits filed in the last 24 months (as of 2026-08-07). Its most active operators by well count are Continental Resources, Hess Bakken Investments Ii, Devon Energy Williston,LLC, Oasis Petroleum North America and Marathon Oil Company. Compiled from North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) well-header records, refreshed monthly.
The operators with the most well counts targeting the Williston Basin formation in North Dakota:
| # | Operator | Wells in Williston Basin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Continental Resources | 720 |
| 2 | Hess Bakken Investments Ii | 587 |
| 3 | Devon Energy Williston,LLC | 517 |
| 4 | Oasis Petroleum North America | 338 |
| 5 | Marathon Oil Company | 332 |
| 6 | Burlington Resources Oil & Gas Company | 313 |
| 7 | Enerplus Resources | 312 |
| 8 | Phoenix Operating Company | 260 |
| 9 | Whiting Petroleum CORP | 236 |
| 10 | Xto Energy | 214 |
The North Dakota counties with the most Williston Basin activity:
Mc Kenzie, Williams, Dunn, Mountrail, Billings
The most recent 100 drilling permits filed for Williston Basin wells in North Dakota:
| Permit Date | Well | API | County | Operator | Lateral (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-07-31 | Hawkeye 1c | 33025052200000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-31 | Hawkeye 2c | 33025052230000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-31 | Hawkeye 2a | 33025052210000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-31 | Hawkeye 2b | 33025052220000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-30 | Kelly 1c | 33025052180000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-30 | Kelly 2a | 33025052190000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-29 | Hawkeye 3a | 33025052160000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-29 | Kelly 2b | 33025052170000 |
Dunn | Burlington Resources Oil Gas Company | — |
| 2026-07-29 | Alexandria 161-100-34-27h- 3 | 33023018500000 |
Divide | Hunt Oil Company | — |
| 2026-07-29 | Alexandria 161-100-35-23h- 1 | 33023018480000 |
Divide | Hunt Oil Company | — |
| 2026-07-29 | Alexandria 161-100-34-27h- 2 | 33023018490000 |
Divide | Hunt Oil Company | — |
| 2026-07-28 | Cottonwood 101-3321h | 33061057120000 |
Mountrail | Eog | — |
| 2026-07-28 | Ross 56-0616h | 33061057140000 |
Mountrail | Eog | — |
| 2026-07-28 | Ross 114-0616h | 33061057150000 |
Mountrail | Eog | — |
| 2026-07-28 | Cottonwood 16-3321h | 33061057130000 |
Mountrail | Eog | — |
| 2026-07-27 | Mary 5700 43-10 6bx | 33105068580000 |
Williams | Enerplus Resources | — |
| 2026-07-27 | Cub 5700 43-10 5b | 33105068570000 |
Williams | Enerplus Resources | — |
| 2026-07-27 | Cub 5700 43-10 4b | 33105068560000 |
Williams | Enerplus Resources | — |
| 2026-07-27 | Cub 5700 43-10 2b | 33105068540000 |
Williams | Enerplus Resources | — |
| 2026-07-27 | Cub 5700 43-10 3b | 33105068550000 |
Williams | Enerplus Resources | — |
| 2026-07-24 | Saint-14-35-Pgn S618h | 33013020750000 |
Burke | Formentera Operations LLC | — |
| 2026-07-24 | Saint-14-35-Pgn S512h | 33013020720000 |
Burke | Formentera Operations LLC | — |
| 2026-07-24 | Saint-14-35-Pgn S516h | 33013020740000 |
Burke | Formentera Operations LLC | — |
| 2026-07-24 | Saint-14-35-Pgn S610hx | 33013020710000 |
Burke | Formentera Operations LLC | — |
| 2026-07-24 | Saint-14-35-Pgn S614h | 33013020730000 |
Burke | Formentera Operations LLC | — |
| 2026-07-23 | Anderson North Tf2h | 33053108550000 |
Mc Kenzie | Petroshale US | — |
| 2026-07-23 | Sloane 25-24-13 1hf | 33053108510000 |
Mc Kenzie | Rockport Energy Solutions LLC | — |
| 2026-07-23 | Sloane 25-24-13 4hf | 33053108540000 |
Mc Kenzie | Rockport Energy Solutions LLC | — |
| 2026-07-23 | Sloane 25-24-13 3hf | 33053108530000 |
Mc Kenzie | Rockport Energy Solutions LLC | — |
| 2026-07-23 | Sloane 25-24-13 2hf | 33053108520000 |
Mc Kenzie | Rockport Energy Solutions LLC | — |
| 2026-07-22 | Mufasa 30-5-Tf | 33055002320000 |
Mclean | Spotted Hawk Development LLC | — |
| 2026-07-22 | Mufasa 30-4-Mb | 33055002310000 |
Mclean | Spotted Hawk Development LLC | — |
| 2026-07-22 | Kunkel 6h | 33075014980000 |
Renville | Berenergy | — |
| 2026-07-22 | Magnum 5201 23-4 6bx | 33053108500000 |
Mc Kenzie | Enerplus Resources | — |
| 2026-07-22 | Bluefin 13f 3h | 33053108490000 |
Mc Kenzie | Devon Energy Willistonllc | — |
| 2026-07-22 | Mufasa 30-2-Mb | 33055002290000 |
Mclean | Spotted Hawk Development LLC | — |
| 2026-07-22 | Mufasa 30-3-Tf | 33055002300000 |
Mclean | Spotted Hawk Development LLC | — |
| 2026-07-21 | Iceman 28-21-16-9 2h | 33023018460000 |
Divide | Phoenix Operating Company | — |
| 2026-07-21 | Iceman 28-21-16-9 3h | 33023018470000 |
Divide | Phoenix Operating Company | — |
| 2026-07-21 | Iceman 28-21-16-9 1h | 33023018450000 |
Divide | Phoenix Operating Company | — |
| 2026-07-20 | Leatherman 12-1-36-25 4h | 33053108480000 |
Mc Kenzie | Phoenix Operating Company | — |
| 2026-07-20 | Leatherman 12-1-36-25 1h | 33053108450000 |
Mc Kenzie | Phoenix Operating Company | — |
| 2026-07-20 | Leatherman 12-1-36-25 3h | 33053108470000 |
Mc Kenzie | Phoenix Operating Company | — |
| 2026-07-20 | Leatherman 12-1-36-25 2h | 33053108460000 |
Mc Kenzie | Phoenix Operating Company | — |
| 2026-07-17 | Bluefin 13f 2h | 33053108440000 |
Mc Kenzie | Devon Energy Willistonllc | — |
| 2026-07-16 | Holmes 5800-8-29 #2h | 33105068530000 |
Williams | Kraken Operating | — |
| 2026-07-16 | Holmes Lw 5800-8-29 #11h | 33105068520000 |
Williams | Kraken Operating | — |
| 2026-07-16 | Bluefin 13f 1h | 33053108430000 |
Mc Kenzie | Devon Energy Willistonllc | — |
| 2026-07-16 | Campbell 5800-7-30 #5h | 33105068510000 |
Williams | Kraken Operating | — |
| 2026-07-15 | Amber 3421-3bh | 33023017860000 |
Divide | Koda Resources Operating LLC | — |
Wells targeting the Williston Basin that have been spudded but are waiting on completion — near-term production upside:
| Spud Date | Days Waiting | Well | Operator | County | Lateral (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-05 | 1 | Akemi Ferrari 14-11-2 5h | Phoenix Operating Company | Divide | — |
| 2026-08-03 | 3 | Albert South 34-33-32 3h | Devon Energy Williston,LLC | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-08-02 | 4 | Palermo 156-90-24-36h-3 | Hunt Oil Company | Mountrail | — |
| 2026-08-02 | 4 | Akemi Ferrari 1 Swd | Phoenix Operating Company | Divide | — |
| 2026-08-01 | 5 | Bock 3624-1bh | Koda Resources Operating LLC | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-31 | 6 | Huron 12-1 | Rough Rider Bakken Water LLC | Mountrail | — |
| 2026-07-31 | 6 | Brynn Ferrari 15-10-3 2h | Phoenix Operating Company | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-31 | 6 | Albert South 34-33-32 2h | Devon Energy Williston,LLC | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-07-30 | 7 | Brynn Ferrari 15-10-3 3h | Phoenix Operating Company | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-29 | 8 | Brynn Ferrari 15-10-3 4h | Phoenix Operating Company | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-28 | 9 | Brynn Ferrari 15-10-3 5h | Phoenix Operating Company | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-27 | 10 | Albert South 34-33-32 1h | Devon Energy Williston,LLC | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-07-27 | 10 | Phazor Federal 4-1-13h | Slawson Exploration Company | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-07-27 | 10 | Bock 3624-2bh | Koda Resources Operating LLC | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-26 | 11 | Amber 2234-7bh | Koda Resources Operating LLC | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-25 | 12 | Amber 2234-8bh | Koda Resources Operating LLC | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-25 | 12 | Phazor Federal 3-1-13h | Slawson Exploration Company | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-07-24 | 13 | Brynn Ferrari 1 Swd | Firebird Services, LLC | Divide | — |
| 2026-07-23 | 14 | Phazor Federal 2-1-13h | Slawson Exploration Company | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-07-23 | 14 | Hercules 1-12-13 1h | Phoenix Operating Company | Burke | — |
| 2026-07-22 | 15 | Hercules 1-12-13 3h | Phoenix Operating Company | Burke | — |
| 2026-07-21 | 16 | Hercules 1-12-13 5h | Phoenix Operating Company | Burke | — |
| 2026-07-21 | 16 | Albert North 27-28-29 4h | Devon Energy Williston,LLC | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-07-20 | 17 | Hercules 1-12-13 7h | Phoenix Operating Company | Burke | — |
| 2026-07-18 | 19 | Albert North 27-28-29 3h | Devon Energy Williston,LLC | Mc Kenzie | — |
| 2026-07-17 | 20 | Hercules 1 Swd | Firebird Services, LLC | Burke | — |
| 2026-07-16 | 21 | West Shell 1-9-4h | Iron Oil Operating | Mountrail | — |
| 2026-07-16 | 21 | Mccallister-25-12-Pgn N516hf | Formentera Operations LLC | Burke | — |
| 2026-07-15 | 22 | Ab-Kelly Renee Federal 29-26h Mb Ls | Murex Petroleum | Williams | — |
| 2026-07-15 | 22 | West Shell 2-9-4h | Iron Oil Operating | Mountrail | — |
The Williston Basin is one of North Dakota's active oil and gas plays, with 7,281 wells on file across 432 distinct operators of record. Operators have filed 2,138 drilling permits targeting the Williston Basin in the last 24 months — a measure of how active the play is right now versus its historical baseline.
For mineral owners with interests in Mc Kenzie, Williams, Dunn, Mountrail, Billings, knowing whether your tract sits within an active Williston Basin footprint is a foundational valuation question. Active formations with consistent permit flow command premium pricing; legacy formations with steady but declining production are valued differently.
See all North Dakota oil & gas formations & plays · Download the North Dakota formations dataset (CSV)
7,281 wells target the Williston Basin in North Dakota, worked by 432 active operators, per NDIC well-header records (as of 2026-08-07).
By well count, the most active Williston Basin operators in North Dakota are Continental Resources, Hess Bakken Investments Ii, Devon Energy Williston,LLC, Oasis Petroleum North America and Marathon Oil Company. The full ranking is in the table on this page.
Operators filed 2,138 drilling permits targeting the Williston Basin in the last 24 months, and there are 50 drilled-but-uncompleted (DUC) wells awaiting completion — a live measure of current activity, per NDIC records.
Operators filed 2,138 new drilling permits targeting the Williston Basin in North Dakota over the last 24 months, with 50 drilled-but-uncompleted (DUC) wells awaiting completion. New permits and spuds are the clearest signal of active Williston Basin drilling, per NDIC records (as of 2026-08-07).
Williston Basin activity in North Dakota currently spans 7,281 wells on record and 432 active operators, led by Continental Resources, Hess Bakken Investments Ii, Devon Energy Williston,LLC, Oasis Petroleum North America and Marathon Oil Company, with 2,138 drilling permits filed in the last 24 months — refreshed monthly from North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) well-header records (as of 2026-08-07).
The most active Williston Basin counties in North Dakota are Mc Kenzie, Williams, Dunn, Mountrail, Billings.
Value depends on your net mineral acres or royalty decimal, the operator, the remaining drilling locations, and current oil and gas prices. Buckhead Energy checks your tract against current Williston Basin well and permit data and puts a free, no-obligation written offer in writing — this page is informational only, not a valuation.
Cite this dataset
Permanently archived and citable via a DOI on Zenodo (CERN), under a CC BY 4.0 license. DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21442884 · View on Zenodo
License & attribution: This data is licensed CC BY 4.0. You are free to share and adapt it, including commercially, provided you credit “Buckhead Energy” and link back to this page or the DOI above.
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Formation: Williston Basin
State: North Dakota
Total wells: 7,281
Active operators: 432
Permits 24mo: 2,138
Last refresh: 2026-08-07
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