================================================================================ UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 _______________ FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 _______________ Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): OCTOBER 19, 2001 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 ================================================================================ Item 5. OTHER EVENTS. On October 19, 2001, the Registrant issued an operational press release announcing success in its South Texas Drilling Program and reaffirmed guidance for the third quarter 2001 financial results. The full text of the press release, other than (a) the first sentence of the third paragraph under the heading "Frio Exploration, Brazoria & Matagorda Counties, Texas", which is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto, is filed and incorporated in this Report as if fully set forth herein. 1 Item 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits Item Exhibit ---- ------- 99.1* Operational Press Release dated October 19, 2001. _______ * filed herewith. 2 Item 9. REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE The first sentence of the third paragraph under the heading "Frio Exploration, Brazoria & Matagorda Counties, Texas" of the press release, appearing in Exhibit 99.1 hereto, are not filed but are furnished pursuant to Regulation FD. 3 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: October 19, 2001 By: /s/ Curtis F. Harrell ------------------------ Curtis F. Harrell Chief Financial Officer 4 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Item Number Exhibit ------------ ------- 99.1* Operational Press Release dated October 19, 2001. 5