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FAQ's

Surface Owner Questions
Question
Does a surface owner have any influence over the location of a well and other surface facility placement?
Answer

Yes, prudent operators always attempt to accommodate surface owner concerns on locating well sites, access roads and other facilities. An operator is required by law to notify the surface owner of its proposed drilling operations and provide a written offer of settlement for surface disruption. An operator’s preferred location will usually be based largely on geology, but also other factors such as terrain and location limitations as prescribed by the North Dakota Industrial Commission (“NDIC”). It is the surface owner’s responsibility to inform the operator of their concerns with the operator’s desired location. The prudent operator will select a well site that has taken all the issues into consideration, including the surface owner’s concerns.

 

In the event the parties cannot reach a Surface Agreement, the surface owner may seek relief in the court of proper jurisdiction.
 

Oil and Gas Production
Question
Do we have enough info to know what a Three Forks production curve looks like?
Answer

We don’t yet have the 3-4 years of production history on a statistically significant sample of wells that will allow us to generate a reliable type curve.

Oil and Gas Production
Question
Do we currently have any production in the Tyler formation?
Answer

Yes. There are about 120 wells that produce from the Tyler formation, but they are all vertical wells drilled for Tyler sand production. There hasn’t been any horizontal Tyler silt/shale wells drilled yet.

Regulatory Questions
Question
Do oil companies have to do something with abandoned well sights in a certain amount of time?
Answer

The general guideline is for reclamation to occur within one year after permanent abandonment.

Surface Owner Questions
Question
Do landowners or mineral owners have any input on well spacing considerations?
Answer
After a "wildcat" or discovery well is drilled, a hearing is scheduled to review the ownership, geology, engineering and economics of the well and pool. First, temporary spacing for field development is set and then approximately 18 months later proper spacing for wells in the new field and pool are set by Industrial Commission order. This is a public hearing and notice is given so that all interested parties can have input on the spacing order issued by the Commission. Spacing is designed to prevent waste, prevent the drilling of unnecessary wells and protect correlative rights.