Current Average Lease Bonus Rates in McKenzie County, ND?

Hello everyone,

I’m trying to get a better understanding of the current leasing market in McKenzie County, North Dakota. Has anyone recently received or negotiated an oil and gas lease offer in the area?

If so, would you be willing to share:

  • Lease bonus amount per net mineral acre

  • Royalty percentage offered

  • Township/Range (if you’re comfortable sharing)

  • Whether the offer was from an operator or a broker

  • Approximate date of the offer

I’m particularly interested in hearing about any recent activity from 2025–2026 so I can compare current market conditions.

Thank you in advance for any information or experiences you’re willing to share. It would be very helpful for those of us trying to evaluate lease offers in McKenzie County. Recent forum discussions indicate there has continued to be leasing activity and lease negotiations in the county, but current bonus rates can vary significantly depending on location, existing production, and operator interest.

No, but I have interests there too and am very interested in any answers you get.

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You may get more precise answers if you give a township and range. Offers will vary due to the perceived value of the reservoirs, so change across the county as the geology changes.

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Township 147 North, Range 102 Wes,McKenzie County, 5 PM

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There have only been three leases in that township in the last 24 months, so not much activity yet. They were back in 2024. They are about to expire. The royalty was 3/16ths. Bonus amounts are not usually public, but I doubt that they were very high. Maybe $350-450 per acre back then. Not relevant for today.

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November 2024 — T145N/R99W, Section 9 (McKenzie County)

  • Initial offer: $1,500/acre, 5-year term, 19% royalty
  • Alternate offer: $800/acre, 3-year + 2-year extension option, 19% royalty
  • Driven by Continental Resources permit activity in the adjacent Range 98W
  • Source: Mineral Rights Forum thread (Nov 2024 – Jan 2025)
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Hi Sue,

Have you heard any news? I have just leased and got some good economics for the mineral rights. Are you currently in a lease ?