================================================================================

                                  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):  NOVEMBER 15, 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  November  15,  the  Registrant  issued  a  press release announcing the
successful  completion  of  its  first two wells at the Triple Crown Field.  The
full  text  of  the  press  release 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*            Press Release dated
                                     November 15, 2001.


- ----------
*  filed herewith.


                                        2

                                    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:  November 15, 2001                     By:  /s/  Curtis  F.  Harrell
                                                  --------------------------
                                                  Curtis F. Harrell
                                                  Executive Vice President &
                                                  Chief Financial Officer


                                        3

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

                    Item                   Exhibit
                    ----                   -------

                    99.1*             Press Release dated
                                      November 15, 2001.



                                        4