<Page> Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-85435 and 333-37558) and Form S-8 (Nos. 333-56961 and 333-70137) of Brigham Exploration Company of our report dated February 22, 2002 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which appears on page F-2 of this Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - ------------------------------ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Houston, Texas March 29, 2002