Sell Your Mineral Rights in McLean County County, ND
If you own mineral rights in McLean County, you're sitting on acreage in one of North Dakota's established oil-producing regions — part of the broader Williston Basin that put the Bakken on the map. Activity here is real, values vary significantly depending on where your acres sit, and understanding what you actually have before making any decisions is worth your time.
Est. per Acre
$500–$3,000
per net royalty acre
Active Wells
320+
Drilling Activity
Core Basin
Williston Basin
Primary Formation
Primary Resource
Oil
Commodity Type
What's Actually Happening in McLean County Right Now
McLean County sits on the western and central edge of North Dakota's Williston Basin, which means Bakken and Three Forks production is present but not as uniformly dense as the core Mountrail or McKenzie County hotspots. There is active drilling here, and operators have established a meaningful production base — but your mineral rights value will depend heavily on whether your specific township falls within a developed unit or is still waiting on the drill bit. If you've received an offer from an operator or land company, that's often a signal that someone sees near-term potential in your acreage. Before you accept anything or ignore it, it's worth knowing what comparable acres are actually trading for.
McLean County by the Numbers
~320
oil and gas wells
Estimated Active Wells
$500 – $3,000
estimated, varies widely by location and development status
Estimated Value Range Per Acre
Oil
with associated natural gas
Primary Commodity
9,000 – 11,000
feet below surface
Bakken Formation Depth
Williston Basin
one of the most significant oil basins in North America
Basin
Who's Operating in McLean County
Continental Resources
CLRWhiting Petroleum
WLLHess Corporation
HESConocoPhillips (Burlington Resources)
COPKraken Oil & Gas
PrivateWhat's in the Ground
Bakken Shale
The formation that transformed North Dakota into a major oil state. The Bakken is a tight oil shale requiring horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to produce. In McLean County, the Bakken is present but thins somewhat compared to the core areas to the east and north. That said, where it's been targeted, it produces real oil — this isn't speculative acreage, it's just not uniformly drilled yet.
Three Forks
Sitting just below the Bakken, the Three Forks has become a significant producing formation in its own right across the Williston Basin. Operators often target both the Bakken and Three Forks from the same surface location, which means your mineral rights may cover multiple productive intervals — a detail that genuinely affects value.
Lodgepole
An older carbonate formation above the Bakken. Lodgepole has produced oil in portions of McLean County historically, though most current drilling activity is focused on the Bakken and Three Forks. Its presence is worth noting as a secondary interest but isn't the primary driver of value today.
Questions We Hear From McLean County Owners
I got an offer from a land company. Should I take it?
My mineral rights have never been drilled. Are they worth anything?
How is McLean County different from the really active Bakken counties?
Find Out What Your McLean County Minerals Are Actually Worth
Whether you've just inherited these rights, received an offer you're not sure about, or have simply been curious for years — the first step is a free, no-pressure conversation. We'll look at your specific location, check active permits and production data, and give you a straight answer on what your acres are realistically worth in today's market. No obligation, no runaround.
Get My Free ValuationGet a Free Offer for Your McLean County County Mineral Rights
No obligation. No commissions. We respond within one business day.