Brigham Exploration Company Announces Mid Third Quarter Operational Progress.

AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 1997--Brigham Exploration Company (Nasdaq:BEXP) announces mid third quarter operational progress.

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

Bud Brigham, CEO, stated, "Our high rate of operational activity is continuing. We currently have three crews acquiring 3-D seismic data, one in the Anadarko Basin and two in the onshore Gulf Coast province. We remain on target for the acquisition of approximately 1,400 square miles of 3-D seismic in 1997."

For the first eight months ended Aug. 31, 1997, the Company spud 49 gross (16.8 net) wells, completed 28 gross (9.0 net) wells, and plugged 15 gross (4.7 net) wells. The Company is currently drilling 7 gross (3.3 net) wells, including 1 gross (.2 net) well which was spud after Aug. 31, 1997. The Company's drilling success rate through Aug. 31, 1997 was 65% gross (66% net).

Bud Brigham stated, "We are very pleased with our pace of 3- D acquisition and drilling, and our overall success rates are as anticipated. However, as we discussed in our previous press release, two of our drilling operators in the Anadarko Basin have experienced longer than anticipated delays in hooking up four of our recent completions in which the Company has retained significant working interests. Had we not experienced these delays, we would be projecting our third quarter volumes to increase by approximately 50% relative to our second quarter. Due to these delays, we are projecting our third quarter production to increase by approximately 30% over the second quarter to 775,000 Mcfe. This would represent an increase of approximately 50% over the third quarter of 1996. Delays in hooking up our wells in the Anadarko Basin, should they continue, could affect our fourth quarter production. While we are concerned with these delays, our company-wide drilling pace, particularly on a net basis, is ahead of schedule. In addition, in the Anadarko Basin our success rate thus far is 83%, somewhat higher than we projected."

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

In the onshore Gulf Coast, the Company has elected to retain an 80% - 91% interest in its Welder Ranch Project after interpreting its recently received 3-D seismic data. Brigham will spud its first test in early October, offsetting a recent discovery, the Sonat 214-1. The Sonat well is currently producing approximately 3,500 Mcf of gas per day, and has produced approximately 2.56 Bcf of gas to date. The Company plans to spud at least one additional well in this project in 1997.

Also in the onshore Gulf Coast, Brigham reports continued success in its Esperson Dome Project. The discovery well and its offsets are currently producing in excess of 800 Bbls of oil per day without water. In addition, a fourth well which tested a separate fault block was recently completed at a field allowable rate of approximately 110 Bbls of oil per day, approximately one-third of the flow-tested rate of 300 Bbls of oil per day. An increase in the field allowable could be requested from the Texas Railroad Commission. Brigham provided the interpretation expertise for the project, and retains a variable back-in working interest of 12% to 20%. Other participants in the project include Seitel (NYSE:SEI), RIMCO, and Bledsoe Petroleum Corp. as drilling operator.

In West Texas, the Company will offset a significant recent discovery, the Brigham Exploration Company Morgan #1, in which the Company retained a 91% working interest, and which is currently flowing 200 Bbls of oil per day without water. The Emily Unit #1 should spud in the next 10 days, and the Company will retain a 53% working interest before casing point and a 68% working interest after casing point. In addition, the Company has successfully completed its fourth well in its Elizabeth Rose Fusselman Field, the Brigham Exploration KKG 17 #1, in which the Company retained a 53% working interest after casing point. Based on recent production tests, the Company anticipates producing this well at 150 to 200 Bbls of oil per day.

Another potentially significant recent development in the Delaware Basin of West Texas is the Company's agreement to acquire an additional 25% working interest in the United Meridian University 21-1 well, increasing the Company's working interest in this prospect from 22.75% to 47.75% after casing point. The seller, a small privately-held independent, retains a back-in which could reduce BEXP's interest to 44%. This well should reach total depth early in the fourth quarter.

Bud Brigham stated, "This was an unusual opportunity. While we consider this test to be relatively high risk for a 3-D delineated prospect, we also believe it has a reserve potential for the Devonian and Ellenburger primary objectives of approximately 150 Bcf of gas. This is one of a number of high potential tests which will be drilled in 1997, any of which could positively impact our Company's growth."

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this new release are forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations. Although the Company believes that its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its goals will be achieved. 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.

Brigham Exploration Company is an independent exploration and production company that applies 3-D seismic imagining and other advanced technologies to systematically explore and develop onshore domestic natural gas and oil provinces. For further information, please contact Investor Relations at 512/427-3300 or mail requests to 6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Bldg. 2, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78730.

CONTACT: Brigham Exploration Company, Austin

Craig M. Fleming, 512/427-3300