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 23, 2001, which appears on page F1-2 of this Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - ----------------------------------- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Dallas, Texas March 22, 2001