North Dakota Single Well (2000 ft in Depth or Less) Bond
Overview
Oil and gas operators drilling shallow wells in North Dakota need this bond before a single well permit is issued by the state. North Dakota's regulatory framework requires a financial guarantee that each well will be properly drilled, operated, and plugged in compliance with state rules. This Single Well Bond covers wells drilled to 2,000 feet or less in depth, making it the entry-level compliance instrument for smaller drilling operations across the state. If you're permitted for one well and that well falls within the shallow classification, this is the bond you need.
Who Needs This Bond?
You're an operator who has been approved — or are seeking approval — to drill a single oil or gas well in North Dakota at a depth of 2,000 feet or less, and the North Dakota Industrial Commission has told you a bond is required before your permit is finalized. Independent operators, small production companies, and individual well owners drilling shallow formations all fall into this category. If you are drilling under a blanket bond or an operator-wide bond, this single-well instrument does not apply — but if you're bonding one specific shallow well, this is the right product. Operators who let a bond lapse mid-project risk permit suspension and state-ordered plugging action at their expense.
What is this Bond For?
This bond protects North Dakota, its land, and its water resources by guaranteeing that the permitted operator will comply with all state drilling, casing, completion, and plugging requirements for the bonded well. If the operator abandons the well, fails to plug it properly, or causes environmental damage, the bond provides the financial backstop that allows the state to remediate the site or complete plugging without using public funds. The North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil and Gas Division holds this bond as the obligee, and any claim flows through the state's enforcement and plugging process. Operators who meet all obligations and properly plug the well have no claim made against their bond.
When is it Required?
Before your single well drilling permit is issued by the North Dakota Industrial Commission, this bond must already be in place — there is no grace period after permit issuance. The bond is a prerequisite, not an afterthought, and the state will not move forward with permitting until proof of the executed bond is on file. If you're approaching your drilling window and haven't secured this bond, every day without it is a day your rig sits idle. Get the bond issued, get proof delivered to the Oil and Gas Division, and keep your project on schedule.
Where Does it Apply?
This bond is a statewide North Dakota requirement — it applies to any single well at or shallower than 2,000 feet drilled anywhere in the state. There is no county-level or local jurisdiction component; the North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil and Gas Division is the sole obligee. The bond is valid only for the specific well covered under the associated permit.
How to Buy Online
Click 'Buy This Bond Online' on this page and the secure surety portal will open in a new tab where you can complete your application and purchase. The process is built for operators who need to move fast — no waiting on an agent callback, no paper forms to mail. Once issued, you'll receive your bond documentation electronically so you can deliver proof to the North Dakota Industrial Commission Oil and Gas Division right away.
Why Bond Titan?
Bond Titan is powered by The Southern Agency and built for operators who need a bond now, not next week. Our online catalog covers environmental and energy bonds nationwide, and the purchase process is fully digital from application to issuance. You're not calling an 800 number and hoping someone calls back — you're buying a bond the same day you decide you need it.