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<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;14,
2006
</DIV>
<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-<u>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</u>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>75-2692967</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">of incorporation or organization)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Suite&nbsp;500</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>78730</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Austin, Texas</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>1997 Incentive Plan<BR>
of Brigham Exploration Company</B><BR>
(Full title of the Plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Ben M. Brigham<BR>
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board<BR>
Brigham Exploration Company<BR>
6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Suite&nbsp;500<BR>
Austin, Texas 78730<BR>
(512)&nbsp;427-3300</B><BR>
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Copy to:<BR>
<B>Joe Dannenmaier<BR>
Thompson &#038; Knight L.L.P.<BR>
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite&nbsp;3300<BR>
Dallas, Texas 75201<BR>
(214)&nbsp;969-1700</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="21" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">Title of</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Proposed</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">Amount</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">securities to</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">to be</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">offering price</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">maximum aggregate</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">of</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">be registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">registered (1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">per share (2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">offering price (2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2">registration fee</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock par
value $.01 per
share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000" nowrap>4,327,245 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$7.00</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$30,290,715</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$3,241.11</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="21" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 6pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
&#147;Securities Act&#148;), the offering and sale of shares issuable upon any stock split, stock
dividend or similar transaction with respect to these shares are also being registered
hereunder.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(h) on the basis of the average of the high and low prices for the Common Stock on June
13, 2006.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>






<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"> PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#001">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002"> SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003"> INDEX TO EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h37068exv5w1.htm">Opinion of Thompson & Knight L.L.P.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h37068exv23w2.htm">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h37068exv23w3.htm">Consent of Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc.</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">EXPLANATORY NOTE
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The contents of Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-56961 relating to the 1997 Incentive Plan of
Brigham Exploration Company (the &#147;Plan&#148;) filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June&nbsp;16, 1998 are incorporated herein by reference. The purpose of this Registration
Statement is to register the offering and sale of 4,327,245 additional shares of Common Stock of
the Registrant pursuant to the Plan. The Plan was amended by the Board of Directors of the
Registrant on April&nbsp;9, 2003 and April&nbsp;8, 2004 to authorize additional shares and the amendment was
approved by the stockholders on May&nbsp;28, 2003 and June&nbsp;3, 2004.
</DIV>






<!-- link1 " PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Item&nbsp;8. <I>Exhibits</I>.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as a part of this
Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 " SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Austin, State of Texas as of June&nbsp;1,
2006.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Ben M. Brigham
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Ben M. Brigham&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chief Executive Officer, President<BR>
and Chairman of the Board&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned directors and officers of Brigham
Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation, which is filing a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, hereby constitute and appoint Ben M. Brigham and Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.,
and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
such Registration Statement and any or all further amendments to the Registration
Statement, and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact as agents or any of them, or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of
June&nbsp;1, 2006.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="60%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Ben M. Brigham</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Ben M. Brigham</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Chief Executive Officer, President and</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Chairman of the Board</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>(Principal Executive Officer)</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Chief Financial Officer</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David T. Brigham</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">David T. Brigham</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Director</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Harold D. Carter</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Harold D. Carter</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Director</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen C. Hurley</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Stephen C. Hurley</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Director</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="38%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="60%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen P. Reynolds</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Stephen P. Reynolds</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Director</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Hobart A. Smith</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Hobart A. Smith</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Director</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Steven A. Webster</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Steven A. Webster</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Director</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ R. Graham Whaling</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
    <TD colspan="1" valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">R. Graham Whaling</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><I>Director</I></DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 " INDEX TO EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INDEX TO EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">1997 Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10.6 to Brigham&#146;s Annual
Report on Form&nbsp;10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2003 and incorporated
herein by reference)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight L.L.P.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Thompson &#038; Knight L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 filed herewith)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">23.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Cawley Gillespie &#038; Associates, Inc.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

</BODY>
</HTML>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 14,
2006
Registration Statement No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
75-2692967
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
of incorporation or organization)
6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Suite 500
78730
Austin, Texas
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
1997 Incentive Plan
of Brigham Exploration Company
(Full title of the Plan)
Ben M. Brigham
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman of the Board
Brigham Exploration Company
6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Suite 500
Austin, Texas 78730
(512) 427-3300
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
Copy to:
Joe Dannenmaier
Thompson & Knight L.L.P.
1700 Pacific Avenue, Suite 3300
Dallas, Texas 75201
(214) 969-1700
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of
Amount
Proposed maximum
Proposed
Amount
securities to
to be
offering price
maximum aggregate
of
be registered
registered (1)
per share (2)
offering price (2)
registration fee
Common Stock par
value $.01 per
share
4,327,245 shares
$7.00
$30,290,715
$3,241.11
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), the offering and sale of shares issuable upon any stock split, stock
dividend or similar transaction with respect to these shares are also being registered
hereunder.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee pursuant to Rule
457(h) on the basis of the average of the high and low prices for the Common Stock on June
13, 2006.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 8. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Opinion of Thompson & Knight L.L.P.
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Consent of Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
Table of Contents
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The contents of Registration Statement No. 333-56961 relating to the 1997 Incentive Plan of
Brigham Exploration Company (the "Plan") filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on June 16, 1998 are incorporated herein by reference. The purpose of this Registration
Statement is to register the offering and sale of 4,327,245 additional shares of Common Stock of
the Registrant pursuant to the Plan. The Plan was amended by the Board of Directors of the
Registrant on April 9, 2003 and April 8, 2004 to authorize additional shares and the amendment was
approved by the stockholders on May 28, 2003 and June 3, 2004.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 8.
Exhibits
.
The exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as a part of this
Registration Statement.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Austin, State of Texas as of June 1,
2006.
BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
By:
/s/ Ben M. Brigham
Ben M. Brigham
Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chairman of the Board
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned directors and officers of Brigham
Exploration Company, a Delaware corporation, which is filing a Registration
Statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the provisions of the
Securities Act of 1933, hereby constitute and appoint Ben M. Brigham and Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.,
and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution
and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign
such Registration Statement and any or all further amendments to the Registration
Statement, and all other documents in connection therewith to be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power
and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person,
hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact as agents or any of them, or their
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated as of
June 1, 2006.
/s/ Ben M. Brigham
Ben M. Brigham
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ David T. Brigham
David T. Brigham
Director
/s/ Harold D. Carter
Harold D. Carter
Director
/s/ Stephen C. Hurley
Stephen C. Hurley
Director
Table of Contents
/s/ Stephen P. Reynolds
Stephen P. Reynolds
Director
/s/ Hobart A. Smith
Hobart A. Smith
Director
/s/ Steven A. Webster
Steven A. Webster
Director
/s/ R. Graham Whaling
R. Graham Whaling
Director
Table of Contents
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
4.1
1997 Incentive Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Brigham's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and incorporated
herein by reference)
5.1
Opinion of Thompson & Knight L.L.P.
23.1
Consent of Thompson & Knight L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1 filed herewith)
23.2
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
23.3
Consent of Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)