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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 12, 2003

                           BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                  000-22433                  75-2692967
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission               (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)            File Number)            Identification No.)

                            6300 Bridgepoint Parkway
                             Building Two, Suite 500
                               Austin, Texas 78730
          (Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (512) 427-3300

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Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

      (c) Exhibit 99.1 Press release dated August 12, 2003.

Item 12. Registrant is furnishing its press release dated August 12, 2003, which
announces the Registrant's financial results for the quarter ended June 30,
2003. The text of the press release is furnished as attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1.

                                    SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                         BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY

Date: August 12, 2003                    By: /s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr
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                                             Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
                                             Chief Financial Officer


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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Item Number                             Exhibit
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99.1*                     Press Release dated August 12, 2003