{
  "name": "Montana Oil & Gas Formations and Plays, Ranked by Well Count",
  "publisher": "Buckhead Energy",
  "url": "https://www.buckheadenergy.com/formations-montana",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "doi": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21442884",
  "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23",
  "count": 14,
  "formations": [
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "sweetgrass-arch",
      "formationName": "Sweetgrass Arch",
      "wellCount": 16666,
      "activeOperators": 1621,
      "totalLateralFt": "332187",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 7,
      "primaryCounties": "TOOLE, GLACIER, PONDERA, LIBERTY, CHOUTEAU",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "SOMONT OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 1006
        },
        {
          "name": "NEW HORIZON RESOURCES",
          "slug": "new-horizon-resources-llc",
          "wells": 933
        },
        {
          "name": "MCR",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 578
        },
        {
          "name": "MONTALBAN OIL ETAL",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 426
        },
        {
          "name": "A B ENERGY",
          "slug": "a-b-oil",
          "wells": 380
        },
        {
          "name": "MONTANA POWER COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 303
        },
        {
          "name": "NORTHWESTERN",
          "slug": "northwestern",
          "wells": 286
        },
        {
          "name": "KEESUN",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 282
        },
        {
          "name": "TEXACO EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION",
          "slug": "texaco-exploration-and-production",
          "wells": 280
        },
        {
          "name": "FX DRILLING COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 278
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "bakken",
      "formationName": "Bakken",
      "wellCount": 5092,
      "activeOperators": 630,
      "totalLateralFt": "8740558",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 4,
      "primaryCounties": "RICHLAND, ROOSEVELT, SHERIDAN, DANIELS, MCCONE",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "MORNING STAR OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "morning-star-oil-company",
          "wells": 476
        },
        {
          "name": "CONTINENTAL RESOURCES",
          "slug": "continental-oil-company",
          "wells": 408
        },
        {
          "name": "WHITE ROCK OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "white-rock-oil-gas-llc",
          "wells": 225
        },
        {
          "name": "D90 ENERGY",
          "slug": "d90-energy-llc",
          "wells": 145
        },
        {
          "name": "OASIS PETROLEUM NORTH AMERICA",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 136
        },
        {
          "name": "SLAWSON EXPLORATION COMPANY",
          "slug": "slawson-exploration-company",
          "wells": 132
        },
        {
          "name": "WHITING PETROLEUM CORP",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 128
        },
        {
          "name": "POPLAR RESOURCES LLC",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 102
        },
        {
          "name": "KRAKEN OPERATING",
          "slug": "kraken-operating",
          "wells": 90
        },
        {
          "name": "MURPHY EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "murphy-oil",
          "wells": 76
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "powder-river-basin",
      "formationName": "Powder River Basin",
      "wellCount": 4414,
      "activeOperators": 504,
      "totalLateralFt": "56073",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "BIG HORN, POWDER RIVER, CARTER, CUSTER, ROSEBUD",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "FIDELITY EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "fidelity-exploration-production-company",
          "wells": 1144
        },
        {
          "name": "DENBURY ONSHORE",
          "slug": "denbury-onshore-llc",
          "wells": 472
        },
        {
          "name": "SUMMIT GAS RESOURCES",
          "slug": "summit-energy",
          "wells": 237
        },
        {
          "name": "POWDER RIVER GAS",
          "slug": "powder-river-resources-llc",
          "wells": 165
        },
        {
          "name": "HIGHLINE EXPLORATION",
          "slug": "highline-operating-llc",
          "wells": 116
        },
        {
          "name": "REDSTONE GAS PARTNERS",
          "slug": "redstone-oil-gas-company",
          "wells": 91
        },
        {
          "name": "PINNACLE GAS RESOURCES",
          "slug": "pinnacle-operating-company-inc",
          "wells": 78
        },
        {
          "name": "TRUE OIL",
          "slug": "true-oil",
          "wells": 73
        },
        {
          "name": "GARY ENERGY",
          "slug": "gary-energy",
          "wells": 65
        },
        {
          "name": "PLACID OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "placid-oil-company",
          "wells": 62
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "central-montana-uplift",
      "formationName": "Central Montana Uplift",
      "wellCount": 4337,
      "activeOperators": 837,
      "totalLateralFt": "198598",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 4,
      "primaryCounties": "BLAINE, MUSSELSHELL, YELLOWSTONE, STILLWATER, FERGUS",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "NORTHWESTERN",
          "slug": "northwestern",
          "wells": 277
        },
        {
          "name": "FUEL RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 126
        },
        {
          "name": "TRUE OIL",
          "slug": "true-oil",
          "wells": 97
        },
        {
          "name": "MONTANA POWER COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 97
        },
        {
          "name": "DEVON ENERGY PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "devon-energy-production-co-lp",
          "wells": 91
        },
        {
          "name": "NORFOLK ENERGY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 80
        },
        {
          "name": "ANG HOLDING USA CORP",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 80
        },
        {
          "name": "CENEX",
          "slug": "cenex",
          "wells": 70
        },
        {
          "name": "BROWN J BURNS OPERATING COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 66
        },
        {
          "name": "OCEAN ENERGY",
          "slug": "ocean-energy",
          "wells": 62
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "judith-river-eagle",
      "formationName": "Judith RIver- Eagle",
      "wellCount": 3507,
      "activeOperators": 135,
      "totalLateralFt": "2253960",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "FALLON, WIBAUX, DAWSON, PRAIRIE",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "MMGL MT I, LLC",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 1105
        },
        {
          "name": "RIDGE OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "ridge-oil-gas",
          "wells": 940
        },
        {
          "name": "SHELL OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "shell-oil-company",
          "wells": 249
        },
        {
          "name": "WBI ENERGY TRANSMISSION",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 199
        },
        {
          "name": "FIDELITY EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "fidelity-exploration-production-company",
          "wells": 171
        },
        {
          "name": "ENCORE OPERATING",
          "slug": "encore-operating",
          "wells": 121
        },
        {
          "name": "BURLINGTON RESOURCES OIL & GAS COMPANY",
          "slug": "burlington-resources-oil-gas-company",
          "wells": 72
        },
        {
          "name": "WILLISTON BASIN INTERSTATE PIPELINE COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 65
        },
        {
          "name": "MONDAK UTILITIES COMPANY & FIDELITY GAS COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 65
        },
        {
          "name": "DENBURY ONSHORE",
          "slug": "denbury-onshore-llc",
          "wells": 60
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "niobrara-fm",
      "formationName": "Niobrara Fm",
      "wellCount": 3472,
      "activeOperators": 227,
      "totalLateralFt": "48430",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "HILL, BLAINE",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "NORTHWESTERN",
          "slug": "northwestern",
          "wells": 1014
        },
        {
          "name": "BROWN J BURNS OPERATING COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 391
        },
        {
          "name": "OCEAN ENERGY",
          "slug": "ocean-energy",
          "wells": 224
        },
        {
          "name": "KLABZUBA OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "klabzuba-oil-gas",
          "wells": 186
        },
        {
          "name": "DEVON ENERGY PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "devon-energy-production-co-lp",
          "wells": 166
        },
        {
          "name": "HIGH CREST OILS",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 130
        },
        {
          "name": "NORFOLK ENERGY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 117
        },
        {
          "name": "CITATION OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "citation-oil-gas-corp",
          "wells": 97
        },
        {
          "name": "MONTANA POWER COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 72
        },
        {
          "name": "LONE WOLF OPERATING COMPANY",
          "slug": "lone-wolf-gas",
          "wells": 59
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "bowdoin-greenhorn",
      "formationName": "Bowdoin-Greenhorn",
      "wellCount": 2641,
      "activeOperators": 72,
      "totalLateralFt": "4580",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "PHILLIPS, VALLEY",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "RIDGE OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "ridge-oil-gas",
          "wells": 1781
        },
        {
          "name": "FIDELITY EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "fidelity-exploration-production-company",
          "wells": 274
        },
        {
          "name": "Midlands Energy Co",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 85
        },
        {
          "name": "NOBLE ENERGY",
          "slug": "noble-energy-inc",
          "wells": 74
        },
        {
          "name": "DECKER OPERATING",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 45
        },
        {
          "name": "WILLISTON BASIN INTERSTATE PIPELINE COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 41
        },
        {
          "name": "SAMEDAN OIL",
          "slug": "samedan-oil",
          "wells": 34
        },
        {
          "name": "FIDELITY GAS",
          "slug": "fidelity-exploration-production-company",
          "wells": 23
        },
        {
          "name": "Freeport-McMoran OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "freeport-mcmoran-oil-gas",
          "wells": 21
        },
        {
          "name": "ODESSA NATURAL",
          "slug": "odessa-natural",
          "wells": 18
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "heath-fm",
      "formationName": "Heath Fm",
      "wellCount": 2265,
      "activeOperators": 489,
      "totalLateralFt": "161156",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "ROSEBUD, MUSSELSHELL, PETROLEUM, GARFIELD, FERGUS",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "CLINE PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "cline-production-company",
          "wells": 109
        },
        {
          "name": "CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY",
          "slug": "conocophillips-company",
          "wells": 100
        },
        {
          "name": "TOMAHAWK OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 94
        },
        {
          "name": "TRUE OIL",
          "slug": "true-oil",
          "wells": 92
        },
        {
          "name": "TEXACO EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION",
          "slug": "texaco-exploration-and-production",
          "wells": 83
        },
        {
          "name": "MCALESTER FUEL COMPANY",
          "slug": "mcalester-fuel-company",
          "wells": 77
        },
        {
          "name": "BEARTOOTH OIL & GAS COMPANY",
          "slug": "beartooth-oil-gas-company",
          "wells": 52
        },
        {
          "name": "PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY",
          "slug": "phillips-petroleum-company",
          "wells": 36
        },
        {
          "name": "MONTANA ENERGY COMPANY LLC",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 35
        },
        {
          "name": "FPCO OIL AND GAS COMPANY",
          "slug": "fpco-oil-and-gas-company",
          "wells": 33
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "williston-basin",
      "formationName": "Williston Basin",
      "wellCount": 1772,
      "activeOperators": 391,
      "totalLateralFt": "1845251",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 240,
      "primaryCounties": "VALLEY, MCCONE, PHILLIPS, RICHLAND, ROOSEVELT",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "KRAKEN OPERATING",
          "slug": "kraken-operating",
          "wells": 192
        },
        {
          "name": "PHOENIX OPERATING COMPANY",
          "slug": "phoenix-operating-company",
          "wells": 55
        },
        {
          "name": "EXXON MOBIL",
          "slug": "exxon-mobil-corporation",
          "wells": 48
        },
        {
          "name": "A&S MINERAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LLC",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 48
        },
        {
          "name": "CONTINENTAL RESOURCES",
          "slug": "continental-oil-company",
          "wells": 42
        },
        {
          "name": "GULF OIL",
          "slug": "gulf-oil",
          "wells": 32
        },
        {
          "name": "SOHIO PETROLEUM COMPANY",
          "slug": "sohio-petroleum-company",
          "wells": 30
        },
        {
          "name": "ORYX ENERGY COMPANY",
          "slug": "oryx-energy-company",
          "wells": 29
        },
        {
          "name": "ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY",
          "slug": "atlantic-richfield-company",
          "wells": 28
        },
        {
          "name": "SHELL OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "shell-oil-company",
          "wells": 28
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "big-horn-basin",
      "formationName": "Big Horn Basin",
      "wellCount": 639,
      "activeOperators": 217,
      "totalLateralFt": "8769",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 4,
      "primaryCounties": "CARBON, YELLOWSTONE",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "CONTANGO RESOURCES COMPANY",
          "slug": "contango-resources-llc",
          "wells": 93
        },
        {
          "name": "BIG SKY ENERGY",
          "slug": "big-sky-energy",
          "wells": 38
        },
        {
          "name": "AMOCO PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "amoco-production-company",
          "wells": 37
        },
        {
          "name": "MONTANA POWER COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 30
        },
        {
          "name": "NORTHWESTERN",
          "slug": "northwestern",
          "wells": 22
        },
        {
          "name": "HOWELL PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "howell-petroleum",
          "wells": 21
        },
        {
          "name": "CRUSE TOM",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 9
        },
        {
          "name": "STRUTHERS OIL & GAS",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 9
        },
        {
          "name": "MURPHY NEVEL E",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 8
        },
        {
          "name": "OHIO OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "ohio-oil-company",
          "wells": 8
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "montana-folded-belt",
      "formationName": "Montana Folded Belt",
      "wellCount": 152,
      "activeOperators": 86,
      "totalLateralFt": "9098",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "GALLATIN, BEAVERHEAD, PARK, MADISON, GRANITE",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "AMOCO PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "amoco-production-company",
          "wells": 13
        },
        {
          "name": "USGS",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 12
        },
        {
          "name": "NO BONDED OPERATOR",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 7
        },
        {
          "name": "THE NYVATEX OIL CORP",
          "slug": "the-nyvatex-oil-corp",
          "wells": 6
        },
        {
          "name": "AMERICAN QUASAR PETROLEUM COMPANY",
          "slug": "american-quasar-petroleum-company",
          "wells": 4
        },
        {
          "name": "FARMERS UNION CENTRAL EXCHANGE",
          "slug": "farmers-union-central-exchange",
          "wells": 4
        },
        {
          "name": "LUHMAN",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "BEAVERHEAD OIL PRODUCING COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "TRANSTEXAS ENERGY",
          "slug": "transtexas-gas",
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "MCDONOUGH PJ",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 3
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "gammon",
      "formationName": "Gammon",
      "wellCount": 75,
      "activeOperators": 44,
      "totalLateralFt": "122",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "CARTER, FALLON",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "ARMSTRONG OPERATING",
          "slug": "armstrong-operating",
          "wells": 8
        },
        {
          "name": "OHIO OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "ohio-oil-company",
          "wells": 4
        },
        {
          "name": "PLACID OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "placid-oil-company",
          "wells": 4
        },
        {
          "name": "BOEKEL R G",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "MCDONALD ETAL",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "SHELL OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "shell-oil-company",
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "HLM DRILLING COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "BOWERS OIL & GAS",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "CARTER OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "carter-oil-company",
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "BLAIR ARDEN",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "north-western-overthrust",
      "formationName": "North Western Overthrust",
      "wellCount": 45,
      "activeOperators": 37,
      "totalLateralFt": "0",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "LEWIS AND CLARK, FLATHEAD",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "SUN EXPLORATIONPRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "sun-explorationproduction-company",
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "AMOCO PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "amoco-production-company",
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "BNV ENERGY COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "MOSBACHER PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "mosbacher-energy-company",
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "KINTLA OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "BEAUCHAMP C W",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "THE ANACONDA COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY",
          "slug": "atlantic-richfield-company",
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "GETTY OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "getty-oil-company",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "BUTTE OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 1
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    },
    {
      "state": "MT",
      "formationSlug": "cody",
      "formationName": "Cody",
      "wellCount": 26,
      "activeOperators": 16,
      "totalLateralFt": "158",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "PARK, MEAGHER, BROADWATER, GALLATIN",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "BILL BARRETT",
          "slug": "bill-barrett",
          "wells": 8
        },
        {
          "name": "AMOCO PRODUCTION COMPANY",
          "slug": "amoco-production-company",
          "wells": 3
        },
        {
          "name": "FLANK OIL",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "CALIFORNIA COMPANY",
          "slug": "california-resources-production",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "LIBERTY OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "liberty-oil-gas",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "SWABODADAVIS",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "PAN AMERICAN PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "pan-american-petroleum",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "MIDNORTHERN OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "POTTER BASIN O&G",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "HARPER OIL COMPANY BUCKHORN PETROLEUM",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 1
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-23"
    }
  ]
}