Bakken
Oliva Gibbs works with C-suite executives and land professionals at upstream oil and gas companies throughout the Bakken in western North Dakota and eastern Montana. Our attorneys provide legal counsel on everything from Mission Canyon Formation title opinions, curative matters, and contract negotiations to purchase and sales agreements for upper and middle units in the Three Forks Formation.
We support Bakken energy companies through the full lifecycle of oil and gas development, from acquisition and leasing to operations and divestiture. Our firm also resolves title defects, structure leases and operating agreements, and negotiates mergers, acquisitions, and asset divestitures.
Bakken energy law solutions
The operational complexities within the Bakken oil and gas call for targeted legal solutions by experienced counsel with deep industry expertise.
Title & surface use
Oliva Gibbs delivers detailed title opinions to and handles complex surface use matters for landmen and companies working within the Williston Basin.
- Preparing drilling, division order, and supplemental title opinions,
- Conducting title curative work to resolve defects, and
- Negotiating surface use agreements, rights-of-way, and easements for infrastructure development.
Learn more about title services
Transactional expertise
Oliva Gibbs provides transactional support to upstream oil and gas operators working in the Bakken. Our attorneys can assist with:
- Preparing and reviewing lease assignments, purchase and sale agreements, and joint operating agreements,
- Execute acquisitions, mergers, and sales,
- Structuring unitization, pooling, and acreage swaps to support drilling plans.
Learn more about transactional services
The law & the Bakken’s resources
The oil-rich Bakken Formation, located within the larger Williston Basin, is a major source of light, sweet crude oil. Thanks to advancements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, North Dakota has become a leading player in the U.S. shale oil boom and is one of the top oil-producing states in the country.
Our attorneys have decades of experience in oil and gas law and a deep understanding of the nuances involved with working in Bakken energy. The Oliva Gibbs team helps Williston oil and gas clients seize opportunities while minimizing legal risk by providing trusted legal counsel tailored to operators’ needs.
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Schedule a consultation today with an experienced Bakken energy attorney.