================================================================================ 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): JANUARY 21, 2002 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 January 16, 2002, the Registrant issued press release announcing the successful completion of the discovery well for its Providence Field in Matagorda County, Texas, the successful completion of two development wells in Home Run Field and the spud of its second development well at Triple Crown Field in Brooks County, Texas. 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 January 16, 2002. _______ * 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: January 21, 2002 By: /s/ Curtis F. Harrell ----------------------------- Curtis F. Harrell Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer 3 INDEX TO EXHIBITS Item Number Exhibit ------------ ------- 99.1* Press Release date January 16, 2002. 4