Sell Your Mineral Rights in Dawson County, MT
If you own mineral rights in Dawson County, you're sitting in the Williston Basin — one of the most important oil-producing regions in the United States. Activity here is real, with 368 producing wells on record, and operators are actively working the ground. Let's help you understand what your rights are worth before you make any decisions.
Est. per Acre
$50–$400
per net royalty acre
Active Wells
368+
Drilling Activity
Core Basin
Williston Basin
Primary Formation
Primary Resource
Oil
Commodity Type
What Owning Mineral Rights in Dawson County Actually Means
Dawson County sits in the western edge of the Williston Basin, centered around Glendive in eastern Montana. The basin is best known for Bakken oil production, and while Dawson County is not the most intensely drilled part of the play, it has 368 producing wells and a documented production history — that's real activity, not speculation. If you've received an offer from an operator or a mineral buyer, it's worth taking a breath before you respond: understanding the local market first puts you in a much stronger position. Whether you're looking to sell, hold, or simply understand what you have, the starting point is knowing what the ground beneath you is actually doing.
Dawson County at a Glance
368
wells
Producing Wells
13,029
BBL
Cumulative Oil Production
4,891
MCF
Cumulative Gas Production
$50 – $400
est. per net mineral acre
Estimated Value Range (per acre)
Oil
Williston Basin
Primary Commodity
Who's Operating in Dawson County
Granite Creek Energy LLC
Interstate Explorations, LLC
Wesco Operating, Inc.
What's in the Ground
Bakken
The Bakken is the flagship oil formation of the Williston Basin and the primary driver of modern horizontal drilling in this region. It's a tight shale formation that has been the economic engine of Montana and North Dakota oil production. Where the Bakken is productive, mineral values tend to be meaningfully higher.
Three Forks
The Three Forks sits just below the Bakken and is often developed in tandem with it. Operators drilling Bakken wells frequently target Three Forks benches in the same area, which can increase the value of your acres if both formations are active beneath your land.
Madison
The Madison is a deeper carbonate formation with a longer production history in Montana. It's been a conventional oil target for decades in the Williston Basin. While it doesn't attract the same modern horizontal drilling frenzy as the Bakken, it remains a relevant formation in parts of Dawson County.
Questions We Hear From Dawson County Owners
I got an offer in the mail for my Dawson County mineral rights. Should I take it?
Dawson County doesn't seem as active as other parts of the Williston Basin. Does that affect what my rights are worth?
I inherited these mineral rights and I'm not even sure exactly what I own. Where do I start?
What to Know About Dawson County
County Seat: Glendive
Mineral rights records for Dawson County are maintained at the Dawson County Courthouse in Glendive. If you need to verify ownership, confirm a deed transfer, or research the chain of title on inherited rights, that's your starting point.
Montana Severance and Production Taxes
Montana levies a severance tax on oil and gas production, which affects royalty income if you're a royalty owner rather than a seller. If you're considering whether to sell or hold and collect royalties, it's worth understanding the net royalty rate after state taxes are accounted for.
Montana's Force Pooling Rules
Montana allows operators to force pool non-consenting mineral owners into a drilling unit. If you haven't signed a lease and an operator is active near your acres, you could be pooled. Understanding your lease status and your options before that happens is important.
Find Out What Your Dawson County Mineral Rights Are Worth
You don't need to make any decisions today. The first step is a free, no-pressure conversation where we look at your specific acres, the production activity nearby, and give you an honest picture of your options. No obligation, no rush.
Get My Free ValuationData Sources
Production and operator figures for Dawson County are drawn from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year), Wikipedia, and DrillingEdge (state regulator production data). Per-acre values are estimates and not an offer.
Other Williston Basin (Bakken) Counties
Dawson County is part of the Williston Basin (Bakken). See the full basin overview, operators, and counties we serve.
Cities & Towns in Dawson County
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