Sell Your Mineral Rights in McCone County, MT
If you own mineral rights in McCone County, Montana, you're on the eastern fringe of the Williston Basin — real oil country, but more thinly drilled than the basin's core in North Dakota. Values here vary a lot depending on exactly where your acres sit, and the honest truth is that some parcels are worth real money while others are more speculative. Let's figure out which category yours falls into.
Est. per Acre
$150–$1,200
per net royalty acre
Active Wells
85+
Drilling Activity
Core Basin
Williston Basin
Primary Formation
Primary Resource
Oil
Commodity Type
What Mineral Ownership Looks Like in McCone County Right Now
McCone County sits in the Williston Basin, which has been one of the more resilient oil-producing regions in the U.S. over the last decade. That said, McCone is not the heart of the Bakken — it's the Montana side, and drilling activity here is considerably lighter than in Mountrail or McKenzie counties across the border in North Dakota. There are active wells and legitimate operator interest, particularly in the northern and eastern portions of the county closer to the North Dakota state line, but if someone recently made you an offer, it's worth understanding whether that offer reflects real near-term development or longer-term speculation. The county seat is Circle, and while this isn't a booming oil hub, there's enough activity that your rights could be worth more than you think — or they might be worth a patient hold rather than a quick sale.
McCone County Mineral Rights: The Numbers
~85
producing oil wells (estimate)
Estimated Active Wells
$150 – $1,200
per net mineral acre (highly location-dependent)
Estimated Value Range Per Acre
8,000 – 11,000
feet (Bakken / Three Forks)
Primary Target Depth
Oil
with associated natural gas
Primary Commodity
Williston Basin
Montana portion
Basin
Who's Operating in McCone County
Chord Energy
CHRDEnerplus Corporation
ERFSlawson Exploration
PrivateEOG Resources
EOGBurlington Resources (ConocoPhillips subsidiary)
COPWhat's in the Ground
Bakken Shale
The primary target across the Williston Basin, the Bakken in McCone County sits somewhat on the structural flank of the basin compared to the deeper, more pressured core in North Dakota. It's productive in the right locations but well economics here are more variable — thickness and pressure matter a lot, and not every township is equal.
Three Forks
Directly below the Bakken, the Three Forks is often developed simultaneously by operators running multi-well pads. In McCone County, the Three Forks adds meaningful value where the Bakken is already economic, giving operators a second productive bench without drilling an entirely new location.
Madison
A deeper carbonate formation that has produced oil in parts of eastern Montana for decades. The Madison is generally considered a secondary target in McCone County, but it has historical production and remains a legitimate part of the stratigraphic column worth understanding if you're evaluating your rights.
What to Know About McCone County
Records Are Filed in Circle
All mineral deeds, lease agreements, and production records for McCone County are recorded at the McCone County Courthouse in Circle, MT — the county seat. If you're trying to verify what you own or trace a chain of title, that's your starting point. The office is small and staff are generally helpful, but turnaround on records requests can take time.
Montana Severance and Property Tax on Minerals
Montana taxes oil production at the wellhead through a severance tax, and mineral rights that are producing can also carry a property tax obligation. If your minerals are leased and producing, you may owe taxes you're not aware of. It's worth checking with the McCone County Assessor's office to make sure you're in compliance.
Montana Follows a Forced Pooling Framework
Montana allows forced pooling (called 'integration' under state law), which means an operator can potentially develop your minerals even if you haven't signed a lease — though you'd receive compensation. If you've received a lease offer and haven't responded, understanding pooling risk is relevant to your decision.
Thinner Drilling Density Than the North Dakota Bakken Core
McCone County has notably fewer active Bakken wells per township than counties in western North Dakota. This isn't a dealbreaker, but it does mean buyers price McCone acres at a discount to core Williston acreage. If someone offers you top-dollar Mountrail County pricing, be skeptical. If they're offering a fair eastern Montana rate, that's a different conversation.
Questions We Hear From McCone County Owners
I got a lease offer from an operator in McCone County. Is it a good one?
How is the value of my McCone County minerals different from Bakken minerals in North Dakota?
I inherited these minerals and have no idea what I actually own. Where do I start?
Want to Know What Your McCone County Minerals Are Actually Worth?
You don't need to figure this out alone. We work with mineral owners in McCone County and across the Williston Basin, and we can give you a straight answer about what your acres are worth in today's market — no pressure, no obligation. The first step is just a conversation.
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