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<TITLE>Form S-8</TITLE>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November&nbsp;17, 2010
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt">Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-______<BR><BR>
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
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: 10pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 10pt"><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">
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    <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>
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    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
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<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>
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</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Stock Options Granted to Non-Employee Directors</B><BR>
(Full title of the Plan)
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><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: 10pt">Copy to:<BR>
<B>Joe Dannenmaier<BR>
Thompson &#038; Knight L.L.P.<BR>
One Arts Plaza<BR>
1722 Routh Street, Suite&nbsp;1500<BR>
Dallas, TX 75201-2533</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of &#147;large accelerated
filer&#148;, &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
</DIV>
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    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Large Accelerated Filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated Filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-Accelerated Filer <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Smaller Reporting Company <FONT face="Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">(Do not check if smaller reporting company)</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
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<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="22" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD nowrap align="left"></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">maximum aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">of</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left">Title of securities to be registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">per share (1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price (1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registration fee</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


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                    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock par
value $.01 per
share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" nowrap align="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">200,000 Shares (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">24.71</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">4,942,000</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">352.36</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="22" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">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
November&nbsp;12, 2010.</DIV></TD>
</TR>

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

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">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.</DIV></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;

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

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">







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


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">We prepared this Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;) to register an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our
common stock which may be issued pursuant to stock options granted conditionally to our
non-employee directors on April&nbsp;28, 2009 and approved by our
stockholders on June&nbsp;19, 2009. The form of stock option
agreement is included herein as Exhibit&nbsp;4.1.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The document(s) containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 (plan information
and registrant information) will be sent or given to plan participants as specified by Rule
428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. In accordance with Rule&nbsp;428 under the Securities Act and the
&#147;Note&#148; to Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8, these documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the &#147;SEC&#148;) either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or
prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule&nbsp;424 under the Securities Act. These documents and the
documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II of
this Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a)
of the Securities Act.
</DIV>

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


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The document(s) containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I of this Form S-8 will be sent
or given to Plan participants as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such
documents are not being filed with the SEC, but constitute, along with the documents incorporated
by reference into this Registration Statement, a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section
10(a) of the Securities Act.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">We will furnish without charge to each person to whom the prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents incorporated by
reference in Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II of this Form S-8, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference to the information that is incorporated). Those
documents are incorporated by reference in the Section 10(a) prospectus. Requests must be made to
Brigham Exploration Company, General Counsel, 6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Building Two, Suite&nbsp;500,
Austin, Texas 78730, (512)&nbsp;427-3300.
</DIV>

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


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


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The following documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, are incorporated herein by reference:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 10pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2009, filed March&nbsp;1,
2010;</DIV></TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">Our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on Schedule&nbsp;14A on
April&nbsp;26, 2010;</DIV></TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">Our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March&nbsp;31, 2010, filed
May&nbsp;3, 2010, June&nbsp;30, 2010, filed on August&nbsp;6, 2010 and September&nbsp;30, 2010 filed
November 5; and</DIV></TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March&nbsp;15, 2010, April&nbsp;12, 2010, May&nbsp;28,
2010, June&nbsp;3, 2010, August&nbsp;10, 2010, September&nbsp;13, 2010, September&nbsp;16, 2010, September
20, 2010, October&nbsp;1, 2010 and October&nbsp;12, 2010.</DIV></TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="4%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form
8-A filed under Section&nbsp;12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on April&nbsp;25, 1997.</DIV></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment indicating that all securities offered hereby have been sold or deregistering all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

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</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">Not applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">Not Applicable.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">In accordance with Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
our Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
eliminates the personal liability of members of our Board of Directors to us or our stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Such provision does not eliminate
or limit the liability of a director (1)&nbsp;for any breach of a director&#146;s duty of loyalty to us or
our stockholders, (2)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of a law, (3)&nbsp;for paying an unlawful dividend or approving an
illegal stock repurchase (as provided in Section&nbsp;174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law) or
(4)&nbsp;for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Under Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have the power to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, reasonably incurred in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies only if the person
acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the person&#146;s conduct was unlawful.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification may be made
with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to us unless and only to the extent that the court of chancery or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability such person
is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnify for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law further provides that to the extent one of
our directors or officers has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding
referred to above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, that person shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees) actually and reasonably incurred in
connection therewith.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">We also have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person covering any
liability incurred in that person&#146;s capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or arising out of that person&#146;s status as such, whether or not we would have the power
to indemnify against the liability.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we will indemnify our officers and
directors and former officers and directors against any expenses, judgments or settlement payments
sustained or paid by such persons as a result of having acted as one of our officers or directors,
or, at our request, as an officer, director, agent or employee of another business entity. The
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws further provide that we may, by action of our Board of
Directors, provide indemnification to our employees and agents, individually or as a group, with
the same scope and effect as the indemnification of directors and officers.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Each Indemnity Agreement between us and our executive officers provides for the
indemnification in certain instances against liability and expenses incurred in connection with
proceedings brought by or in the right of the corporation or by third parties by reason of a person
serving as one of our officers or directors.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Not applicable.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">&nbsp;

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

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as a part of this
Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">(a)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(1)(iii) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change
to such information in this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">(b)&nbsp;That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing
of the registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">(e)&nbsp;The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the
prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to
security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and
meeting the requirements of Rule&nbsp;14a-3 or Rule&nbsp;14c-3 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934;
and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article&nbsp;3 of Regulation&nbsp;S-X
are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom
the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by
reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
</DIV>

<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">(h)&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>
<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

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

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

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


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">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 November&nbsp;12, 2010.
</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
and Chairman of the Board&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="justify" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Ben &#147;Bud&#148; M. Brigham and Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.,
and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign on his behalf individually and in each
capacity stated below any amendment, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration
Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith 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
and agents and either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
</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="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Signature</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Title</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Date</B></TD>
</TR>


<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Ben M. Brigham
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Ben M. Brigham
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Executive Officer,
President, Chairman of
the Board and Director
<I>(Principal Executive
Officer)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;12, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer
<I>(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)</I>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;11, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David T. Brigham
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
David T. Brigham
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;12, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Harold D. Carter
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Harold D. Carter
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;10, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen C. Hurley
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stephen C. Hurley
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;10, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Stephen P. Reynolds
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Stephen P. Reynolds
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;11, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Hobart A. Smith
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Hobart A. Smith
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;12, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Scott W. Tinker
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Scott W. Tinker
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Director&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">November&nbsp;11, 2010</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>

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

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

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.50in">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><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="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="86%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" 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">Form of Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10.49
to Brigham&#146;s Form&nbsp;10-Q for the quarter ended June&nbsp;30, 2009 and
incorporated herein by reference)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff; padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Thompson &#038; Knight, LLP (contained within Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 hereto)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="background: #cceeff; padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">*</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" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">*</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>




<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="text-align: justify">Filed herewith</DIV></TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



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

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



</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "c08612sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 42194}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BRIGHAM EXPLORATION CO", "cik": "0001034755", "assigned-sic": "1311", "irs-number": "752692967", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-170669", "film-number": "101200862"}, "business-address": {"street1": "6300 BRIDGE POINT PARKWAY", "street2": "BLDG 2 SUITE 500", "city": "AUSTIN", "state": "TX", "zip": "78730", "phone": "5124273300"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "6300 BRIDGE POINT PARKWAY", "street2": "BLDG 2 SUITE 500", "city": "AUSTIN", "state": "TX", "zip": "78730"}}
Form S-8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 17, 2010
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)
Stock Options Granted to Non-Employee Directors
(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.
One Arts Plaza
1722 Routh Street, Suite 1500
Dallas, TX 75201-2533
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of "large accelerated
filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer
o
Accelerated Filer
þ
Non-Accelerated Filer
o
Smaller Reporting Company
o
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Amount
Proposed maximum
Proposed
Amount
to be
offering price
maximum aggregate
of
Title of securities to be registered
registered
per share (1)
offering price (1)
registration fee
Common Stock par
value $.01 per
share
200,000 Shares (2)
$
24.71
$
4,942,000
$
352.36
(1)
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
November 12, 2010.
(2)
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.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
We prepared this Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") to register an aggregate of 200,000 shares of our
common stock which may be issued pursuant to stock options granted conditionally to our
non-employee directors on April 28, 2009 and approved by our
stockholders on June 19, 2009. The form of stock option
agreement is included herein as Exhibit 4.1.
The document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 (plan information
and registrant information) will be sent or given to plan participants as specified by Rule
428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. In accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the
"Note" to Part I of Form S-8, these documents are not being filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or
prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act. These documents and the
documents incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II of
this Form S-8, taken together, constitute a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a)
of the Securities Act.
PART I
ITEM 1. PLAN INFORMATION.
The document(s) containing the information specified in Part I of this Form S-8 will be sent
or given to Plan participants as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act. Such
documents are not being filed with the SEC, but constitute, along with the documents incorporated
by reference into this Registration Statement, a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section
10(a) of the Securities Act.
ITEM 2. REGISTRANT INFORMATION AND EMPLOYEE PLAN ANNUAL INFORMATION.
We will furnish without charge to each person to whom the prospectus is delivered, upon the
written or oral request of such person, a copy of any and all of the documents incorporated by
reference in Item 3 of Part II of this Form S-8, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such
exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference to the information that is incorporated). Those
documents are incorporated by reference in the Section 10(a) prospectus. Requests must be made to
Brigham Exploration Company, General Counsel, 6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Building Two, Suite 500,
Austin, Texas 78730, (512) 427-3300.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.
The following documents filed by us with the SEC pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act, are incorporated herein by reference:
•
Our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, filed March 1,
2010;
•
Our Proxy Statement for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders filed on Schedule 14A on
April 26, 2010;
•
Our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2010, filed
May 3, 2010, June 30, 2010, filed on August 6, 2010 and September 30, 2010 filed
November 5; and
•
Our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 15, 2010, April 12, 2010, May 28,
2010, June 3, 2010, August 10, 2010, September 13, 2010, September 16, 2010, September
20, 2010, October 1, 2010 and October 12, 2010.
•
The description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form
8-A filed under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on April 25, 1997.
All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment indicating that all securities offered hereby have been sold or deregistering all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this
Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.
Not Applicable.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
In accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
our Certificate of Incorporation includes a provision that, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
eliminates the personal liability of members of our Board of Directors to us or our stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Such provision does not eliminate
or limit the liability of a director (1) for any breach of a director's duty of loyalty to us or
our stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
misconduct or a knowing violation of a law, (3) for paying an unlawful dividend or approving an
illegal stock repurchase (as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law) or
(4) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, we have the power to indemnify any
person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation)
by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, reasonably incurred in
connection with such action, suit or proceeding. The power to indemnify applies only if the person
acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
best interests of the corporation, and with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe the person's conduct was unlawful.
In the case of an action by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification may be made
with respect to any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be
liable to us unless and only to the extent that the court of chancery or the court in which such
action or suit was brought shall determine that despite the adjudication of liability such person
is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnify for such expenses which the court shall deem proper.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law further provides that to the extent one of
our directors or officers has been successful in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding
referred to above or in the defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, that person shall be
indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred in
connection therewith.
We also have the power to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person covering any
liability incurred in that person's capacity as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
corporation, or arising out of that person's status as such, whether or not we would have the power
to indemnify against the liability.
The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws provide that we will indemnify our officers and
directors and former officers and directors against any expenses, judgments or settlement payments
sustained or paid by such persons as a result of having acted as one of our officers or directors,
or, at our request, as an officer, director, agent or employee of another business entity. The
Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws further provide that we may, by action of our Board of
Directors, provide indemnification to our employees and agents, individually or as a group, with
the same scope and effect as the indemnification of directors and officers.
Each Indemnity Agreement between us and our executive officers provides for the
indemnification in certain instances against liability and expenses incurred in connection with
proceedings brought by or in the right of the corporation or by third parties by reason of a person
serving as one of our officers or directors.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
The exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as a part of this
Registration Statement.
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)(iii) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change
to such information in this Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each
such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing
of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to deliver or cause to be delivered with the
prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to
security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and
meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934;
and, where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X
are not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom
the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by
reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
(h) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by
a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed
in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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 November 12, 2010.
BRIGHAM EXPLORATION COMPANY
By:
/s/ Ben M. Brigham
Ben M. Brigham
Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chairman of the Board
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Each person whose
signature appears below constitutes and appoints Ben "Bud" M. Brigham and Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.,
and each of them (with full power to each of them to act alone), his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his
name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign on his behalf individually and in each
capacity stated below any amendment, including post-effective amendments, to this Registration
Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith 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
and agents and either of them, or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Ben M. Brigham
Ben M. Brigham
Chief Executive Officer,
President, Chairman of
the Board and Director
(Principal Executive
Officer)
November 12, 2010
/s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
November 11, 2010
/s/ David T. Brigham
David T. Brigham
Director
November 12, 2010
/s/ Harold D. Carter
Harold D. Carter
Director
November 10, 2010
/s/ Stephen C. Hurley
Stephen C. Hurley
Director
November 10, 2010
/s/ Stephen P. Reynolds
Stephen P. Reynolds
Director
November 11, 2010
/s/ Hobart A. Smith
Hobart A. Smith
Director
November 12, 2010
/s/ Scott W. Tinker
Scott W. Tinker
Director
November 11, 2010
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
4.1
Form of Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.49
to Brigham's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009 and
incorporated herein by reference)
5.1
*
Opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP
23.1
*
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
*
Consent of Thompson & Knight, LLP (contained within Exhibit 5.1 hereto)
23.3
*
Consent of Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
24
*
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)
*
Filed herewith