EXHIBIT 99.1
BRIGHAM
EXPLORATION COMPANY
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BRIGHAM OIL & GAS EXPERIENCES A LOSS OF SURFACE CONTROL WHILE DRILLING A NATURAL
GAS WELL NEAR BAY CITY, TEXAS
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Austin, TX -- March 24, 2002 -- Brigham Exploration Company (NASDAQ:BEXP)
today announced that it's wholly owned subsidiary, Brigham Oil & Gas, L.P.,
experienced a loss of surface control while drilling a natural gas well near Bay
City, Texas. Federal, State and local authorities are working together with
representatives from Brigham to manage the well control situation that occurred
early this morning.
Mr. Lance Langford, Brigham's Senior Vice President of Operations, stated,
"The incident occurred during the drilling of the Burkhart #1 well at a depth of
approximately 10,370 feet. No fire occurred, and we're very fortunate that only
minor injuries were sustained by two workers at the site. All personnel have
been accounted for and the well is currently venting natural gas to the
atmosphere."
Mr. Langford further commented, "Officials of the Matagorda County
Sheriff's Department, the Texas Railroad Commission, Cudd Pressure Control,
Inc., and Brigham have set up a Unified Command Center on the scene to
coordinate response efforts, including the implementation of a plan to gain
control of the well and the installation of fire suppression equipment as a
precautionary measure. Finally, as a precaution, one family has been evacuated
from a nearby home, and a two mile stretch along Texas State Highway 60 has been
temporarily blocked off to traffic."
Mr. Langford concluded, "Brigham Exploration Company's principal priorities
are the safety of the people in the area and minimizing the impact of this well
control event on the environment. We at Brigham sincerely regret any
inconvenience imposed on our friends in the area. We are determined to normalize
this situation as quickly and safely as possible."
ABOUT BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
Brigham Exploration Company is an independent exploration and production
company that applies 3-D seismic imaging and other advanced technologies to
systematically explore and develop onshore domestic natural gas and oil
provinces. For more information about Brigham Exploration, please visit our
website at www.bexp3d.com or contact Investor Relations at 512-427-3444.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLOSURE
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward looking statements within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based upon
current expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those in the forward looking statements include risks
inherent in exploratory drilling activities, the timing and extent of changes in
commodity prices, unforeseen engineering and mechanical or technological
difficulties in drilling wells, availability of drilling rigs, land issues,
federal and state regulatory developments and other risks more fully described
in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All
forward looking statements contained in this release, including any forecasts
and estimates, are based on management's outlook only as of the date of this
release, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise these forward
looking statements, whether as a result of subsequent developments or otherwise.
Contact: John Turner, Manager - Finance & Investor Relations
(512) 427-3300 / investor@bexp3d.com
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