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North Dakota single well bonds, 2,000 ft or less.
From $125.

For a North Dakota oil or gas well 2,000 feet or less in depth, the single-well plugging bond starts at the standard $50,000 figure — but the director may approve a lesser amount for a shallow well. Enter the amount your permit names and your exact price appears at the application — priced at 5% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, $125 minimum.

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For a single well 2,000 feet or less in depth filed with the Industrial Commission
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Standard figure is $50,000, but the director may approve a lesser amount for a shallow well
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Priced at 5% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, $125 minimum — a quick soft credit check may apply, never a hard inquiry, no impact on your score
From $125your exact price at application5%of bond amount + $25 fee, $125 minimumSoft pullnever a hard inquiry
Trusted by industry leaders
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC)
Blumenfeld Development Group (BDG)
Capital Development Partners
McKinney Properties
Terra Capital
JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)
Triple Five Group
The Georgetown Company
How it works

Three steps. One sitting.

Your drilling permit is waiting on this bond. Here is the whole process — no broker phone tag:

TODAY · ONLINE

Apply online

Business details, the bond amount your permit requires, and the effective date — plus a one-time consent to a soft credit pull. That is the entire application.

RIGHT AWAY

Approved

Most are approved as soon as you apply. The credit check is a soft pull that never affects your score. If it needs a second look, one to two business days at most.

WHEN YOU PAY

File with the Industrial Commission

Pay online and receive the executed single-well bond, ready to file with the Department of Mineral Resources for your well. Wet-ink originals mailed whenever the state insists.

About this bond

What it is and who needs it.

What the shallow single-well bond actually guarantees

North Dakota requires a drilling and plugging bond before construction of any well, so the state is never left paying to plug and reclaim an abandoned one. The bond endures up to and including approved plugging of the well and dry holes, plus practical reclamation of the well site.

The standard single-well amount is $50,000, but the rule gives the director discretion to approve a lesser amount for a well 2,000 feet or less in depth — shallower wells generally cost less to plug, so a smaller bond can be appropriate. The figure on your permit controls; we issue exactly that amount.

The bond is conditioned on full compliance with N.D.C.C. ch. 38-08 and the Industrial Commission's rules and orders, and the Commission can still require more based on expected plugging cost. If the surety pays to plug your well, the operator repays the surety. If you run several wells, a $100,000 blanket bond is usually the cheaper path.

N.D. Admin. Code 43-02-03-15Under N.D. Admin. Code 43-02-03-15 (N.D.C.C. ch. 38-08), a single-well drilling and plugging bond is $50,000, but the director may approve a lesser amount for a well 2,000 feet or less in depth. The Industrial Commission can require a higher amount based on the well's economic value and expected plugging and reclamation cost. Confirm the amount the director approved on your permit.

You need this bond if you are

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Drilling a shallow single well 2,000 feet or less in depth, and bonding it on its own
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Seeking a reduced bond amount the director may approve for a shallow well
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A small operator running one or two shallow wells
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Replacing an expiring bond to keep your well continuously covered

One application, issued instantly.

These are the actual underwriting fields, including a one-time consent to a soft credit check. Submit once and your bond is issued when you pay.

Start the application →
FAQ

Common questions.

How much is the bond for a well 2,000 feet or less?Pricing is 5% of your bond amount plus a $25 fee, with a $125 minimum. The standard single-well figure is $50,000, but the director may approve a lesser amount for a shallow well — so enter the figure on your permit and your exact price appears at application.
How do I get the reduced amount?The director of the Department of Mineral Resources decides whether to approve a lesser bond for a well 2,000 feet or less in depth. The amount the director approves goes on your permit — enter that figure and we issue the bond for exactly that.
Single-well or blanket bond?If you run more than two or three wells, a $100,000 blanket bond covering them all is usually cheaper than bonding each well. For one shallow well, the single-well bond on this page is the right instrument. We write both.
Is there a credit check?A quick soft credit check may apply — never a hard inquiry, no impact on your score. Your price is 5% of the bond amount plus a $25 fee, with a $125 minimum.
Who requires this bond?The North Dakota Industrial Commission, through its Department of Mineral Resources, under N.D. Admin. Code 43-02-03-15 and N.D.C.C. ch. 38-08. No active bond, no drilling.
Which A-rated carriers underwrite these bonds?Typically Arch Insurance Company (A.M. Best A+) or Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company (A.M. Best A). Which one writes your bond depends on the bond type and your state. The carrier's name and official signature are printed on the bond you receive.
How do I contact Light RFP about this bond?Email insurance@lightrfp.com. It reaches the bond team at Light RFP Risk Management Services LLC (NY DFS License # PC-1978982). Write to us about quotes, applications, bond forms or certificates. We will respond within 24 hours.
Related bonds

Other North Dakota bonds.

Shallow single-well bond, ready to file.

Pricing from $125. Enter the amount the director approved and file the same day.

Your premiumfrom $125
Apply now →