Sell Your Mineral Rights in Williams County, ND
If you own mineral rights in Williams County, North Dakota, you're sitting on acreage in one of the most productive oil counties in the entire Bakken — the basin that put North Dakota on the map as a top oil-producing state. With over 3,500 producing wells and major operators actively working the area, this is real, proven production country. Whether you just got an offer or have been holding these rights for years, it's worth understanding what you actually have before you make any decisions.
Est. per Acre
$1,500–$5,000
per net royalty acre
Active Wells
3,576+
Drilling Activity
Core Basin
Bakken Shale / Williston Basin
Primary Formation
Primary Resource
Oil
Commodity Type
What Owning Mineral Rights in Williams County Actually Means Right Now
Williams County is the heart of North Dakota's oil economy. Williston — the county seat — became synonymous with the Bakken boom, and the activity here never fully went away even when oil prices dipped. With 3,576 producing wells and operators like Continental Resources and Hess Bakken Investments II actively developing acreage, this is not speculative territory — it's a producing basin with a long track record. If you've received an offer from an operator or a buyer recently, that's not a coincidence: Williams County mineral rights are genuinely in demand, and buyers are competitive here. You should know what yours are worth before you sign anything.
Williams County by the Numbers
3,576
wells
Producing Wells
6,500,000
BBL
Cumulative Oil Production
22,300,000
MCF
Cumulative Gas Production
$1,500 – $5,000
per acre
Estimated Mineral Rights Value (per acre, estimate)
Oil
Primary Commodity
Who's Operating in Williams County
Continental Resources, Inc.
CLRHess Bakken Investments II, LLC
HESOasis Petroleum North America LLC
OASEnerplus Resources USA Corporation
ERFPetro-Hunt, L.L.C.
Devon Energy Williston, L.L.C
DVNWhat's in the Ground
Bakken Shale
The Bakken is the formation that defines Williams County. It's a tight oil shale play that became one of the most significant oil-producing formations in U.S. history. Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing unlocked massive reserves here, and operators continue to develop it today. If you own mineral rights in Williams County, the Bakken is almost certainly the primary target.
Three Forks
Sitting just below the Bakken, the Three Forks formation is a separate productive zone that operators often develop alongside Bakken wells. It has added meaningful upside for mineral rights owners in the area, since a single drilling unit can yield wells in both formations — potentially increasing your royalty income from the same acreage.
Questions We Hear From Williams County Owners
I got an unsolicited offer for my Williams County mineral rights. Should I take it?
How do I know if my acreage is actually being drilled or just held by old leases?
Williams County had a big boom and then a bust. Is it still worth selling?
How a Sale Works
You Get a Valuation First
Before anything is signed or agreed to, we look at your specific acreage — location, formation exposure, existing leases, any royalty income you're already receiving — and give you an honest estimate of what it's worth in today's market. No obligation, no pressure.
You Choose Whether to Sell
A valuation doesn't commit you to anything. Some owners decide to sell outright for immediate liquidity. Others decide to hold and continue receiving royalties. Some sell a portion and keep the rest. You're in control of that decision.
Outright Purchase (Most Common)
In a mineral rights sale, you transfer ownership in exchange for a lump-sum cash payment. The buyer takes on future development risk and reward. You walk away with certainty. This is the most common structure and typically closes in a few weeks once terms are agreed.
Lease vs. Sale — Know the Difference
An oil and gas lease gives an operator the right to drill in exchange for a signing bonus and royalty percentage — but you keep ownership of the minerals. A sale permanently transfers ownership. Both have their place depending on your goals, and it's important to understand which you're being offered.
What to Know About Williams County
North Dakota Regulates Mineral Rights Through the NDIC
The North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) oversees oil and gas production in the state, including Williams County. They maintain public records of all permitted and producing wells, which you can search by location. If you want to know what's happening on or near your acreage, the NDIC Oil and Gas Division is your first stop.
Forced Pooling (Compulsory Integration) Applies Here
North Dakota law allows operators to pool non-consenting mineral owners into a drilling unit. If your acreage is pooled without your active participation, you may receive a royalty — but you'll also face risk charges that reduce your net payment in the early period. Understanding your lease status and pooling situation matters before you sign anything or accept a buyout.
Williston Is the County Seat — and a Real Hub
Williams County is home to Williston, which has a longer and deeper history in the oil patch than almost any other North Dakota city. That means local attorneys, landmen, and advisors who understand mineral rights transactions are genuinely available here — which is worth knowing if you want local counsel before making a decision.
Severed Mineral Rights Are Common
In North Dakota, it's very common for surface rights and mineral rights to be owned by different people. If you inherited mineral rights, you may own them independently of any surface land. That's normal here, and it doesn't diminish the value of what you have.
Find Out What Your Williams County Mineral Rights Are Worth
You don't have to guess. Whether you've just received an offer, recently inherited these rights, or have been sitting on them for years wondering what to do — the first step is a free, no-pressure conversation. We'll look at your specific acreage, tell you honestly what we think it's worth in today's market, and let you decide what makes sense from there.
Get My Free ValuationData Sources
Production and operator figures for Williams County are drawn from U.S. Census Bureau (ACS 5-Year), and DrillingEdge (state regulator production data). Per-acre values are estimates and not an offer.
Other Williston Basin (Bakken) Counties
Williams County is part of the Williston Basin (Bakken). See the full basin overview, operators, and counties we serve.
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