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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

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        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 27, 2005


                           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


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         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check  the  appropriate  box  below  if the  Form  8-K  filing  is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

[ ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
     Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange
     Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
     Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13a-4(c))

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ITEM 2.02  RESULTS OF OPERATION AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.

     Registrant  is furnishing  its press  release  dated April 27, 2005,  which
announces  discoveries and provides  operational  update.  The text of the press
release is furnished as attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

ITEM 7.01  REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

     Registrant  is furnishing  its press  release  dated April 27, 2005,  which
announces  discoveries and provides  operational  update.  The text of the press
release is furnished as attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.


ITEM 9.01  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

     (c)   Exhibit 99.1    Press release dated April 27, 2005.



                                    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:    April 27, 2005
                                              By:   /s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                    Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
                                                    Executive Vice President &
                                                    Chief Financial Officer



                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

       Item Number                          Exhibit
       ------------      -------------------------------------------------------
       99.1*             Press Release dated April 27, 2005