Are We Seeing Evidence of Consolidation Of Bakken Acreage

Based on permits in entirely new areas in the Williston Basin, someone much smarter than I wrote to tell me that this suggested the core areas of the Bakken have been completely leased.

If that is accurate, if companies want to increase their core Bakken acreage, about all they can do it horse-trade, merge, or buy leases already held by other drillers. 


Is this an example? This is from the BEXP press release of October 4, 2010:

"Since early August 2010, Brigham has expanded its acreage position in the Williston Basin by approximately 10,200 net acres to an estimated 368,400 net acres. In its core Rough Rider project area, Brigham has expanded its acreage position by approximately 7,600 net acres, including a large acreage position obtained as a result of a transaction entered into with Zavanna, LLC. Inclusive of the acreage acquisitions, Brigham now has total core acreage of approximately 205,600 net acres."