EXHIBIT 99.1
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
B R I G H A M
Exploration Company
BRIGHAM EXPLORATION ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF PROVIDENCE FIELD
CONFIRMATION WELL AND WEST TEXAS FUSSELMAN DISCOVERY
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Austin, TX -- July 11, 2002 -- Brigham Exploration Company (Nasdaq:BEXP)
today announced the successful completion of the Burkhart #1R well in its
Providence Field in the onshore Texas Gulf Coast and a Fusselman oil field
discovery in West Texas.
SUCCESSFUL PROVIDENCE FIELD CONFIRMATION WELL
On July 9, 2002, Brigham successfully completed the first development well
at its Providence Field in Matagorda County, Texas. The Brigham operated
Burkhart #1R encountered 36 feet of net pay in the same Lower Frio interval
currently producing in the Staubach #1 discovery well. Brigham has retained a
working interest of 41% in the well and other participants include Carrizo Oil &
Gas, Inc. (Nasdaq:CRZO), Aspect Energy LLC and Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE:NBL).
The Burkhart #1R is currently producing to sales at a rate of approximately
1,500 barrels of oil and 8.7 MMcf of natural gas per day, or 5.5 MMcfe net to
Brigham's 31% revenue interest. Based upon wireline logs and pressures
encountered while drilling, the Company anticipates that the shallower interval
that generated the uncontrolled flow will most likely provide additional
production subsequent to producing the current Lower Frio objective sands.
The Staubach #1, which began producing during February 2002, has paid out
its drilling and completion costs, and is currently producing approximately 13.4
MMcfe (1,607 barrels of oil, 48 barrels of NGL's and 3.4 MMcf of natural gas)
per day. The Staubach #1 has produced approximately 263,000 barrels of oil,
13,000 barrels of NGL's and 645 MMcf of natural gas to date.
Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. is currently drilling the Huebner #1, the second
offset to the Staubach #1, at a depth of approximately 4,900 feet. The Huebner
#1 is targeting the northern end of the approximately 800-acre structure, and
results are expected by September. Brigham owns a 34% working interest in this
well, which will also test deeper potential pay sands. Brigham plans to spud a
third development well in the field late in the third quarter or early in the
fourth quarter, and expects to drill at least five wells to fully develop the
field.
WEST TEXAS HORSESHOE ATOLL TREND FIELD DISCOVERY
In May, Brigham successfully completed the Casa Grande #1 as the discovery
well for the Conner Shea Fusselman Field in West Texas. The Brigham operated
Casa Grande #1 is currently producing approximately 230 barrels of oil per day
on a 9/64" choke, or approximately 0.6 Mmcfe net to Brigham's 43% revenue
interest. Other participants include Royale Energy (Nasdaq:ROYL). Brigham
anticipates drilling a development well to offset the discovery later in 2002.
MANAGEMENT COMMENTS
Bud Brigham, the Company's Chairman, CEO and President, stated, "We're
extremely pleased to have confirmed our Providence Field with the Burkhart #1R,
particularly since the well encountered the same pay intervals currently
producing in the Staubach #1 discovery well on the southern portion of the
structure. We are also very excited to be drilling the Huebner #1 well on the
northern end of this large structure. We expect the Huebner #1 to develop these
same pay intervals approximately 400 feet structurally high to a previously
drilled well that encountered oil and gas shows with thicker sands than those
encountered by our Burkhart and Staubach discoveries. Furthermore, we plan to
begin drilling our fourth well in the field within the next ninety days."
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EXHIBIT 99.1
ABOUT BRIGHAM EXPLORATION
Brigham Exploration Company is a leading 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 STATEMENT DISCLOSURE
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
discussed in this news release are forward looking statements 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.
Contact: John Turner, Manager of Finance and Investor Relations
(512) 427-3300 / investor@bexp3d.com
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