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<TITLE>Form S-8</TITLE>
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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">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-______
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt; margin-top: 10pt">&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: 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">
<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>
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<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>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<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>
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</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>1997 Director Stock Option Plan</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="left" 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>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<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>
</TR>
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</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt">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="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&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="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</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>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</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>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 0px solid #000000">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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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <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 align="center" nowrap style="border-top: 1px solid #000000" colspan="3">577,200 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="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000" colspan="3">$24.71</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="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000" colspan="3">$14,262,612</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="center" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000" colspan="3">$1,016.92</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="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</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">(1)</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
November&nbsp;12, 2010.</TD>
</TR>

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

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</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>

</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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<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>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The contents of Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-135073 relating to the 1997 Director Stock
Option Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) of Brigham Exploration Company filed by the Registrant with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;16, 2006 are incorporated herein by reference. The
purpose of this Registration Statement is to register the offering and sale of 577,200 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;3, 2007 to authorize additional shares and the amendment
was approved by the stockholders on May&nbsp;31, 2007.
</DIV>

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


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



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">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;

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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<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="left" 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="left" 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;

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

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    <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">Brigham Exploration Company 1997 Director Stock Option Plan (as
amended effective January&nbsp;1, 2009) (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10.48 to
Brigham&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K (filed December&nbsp;29, 2008) 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">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Amendment to Brigham Exploration Company 1997 Director Stock Option
Plan, effective as of September&nbsp;23, 2009 (filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10.6 to
Brigham&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form&nbsp;10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
September&nbsp;30, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference)</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">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="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="background: #cceeff; 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="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>
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    <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>
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    <TD>Filed herewith</TD>
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[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "c08611sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 26360}]
{"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": "333-170671", "film-number": "101200881"}, "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)
1997 Director Stock Option Plan
(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
577,200 Shares (2)
$24.71
$14,262,612
$1,016.92
(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
The contents of Registration Statement No. 333-135073 relating to the 1997 Director Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan") of Brigham Exploration Company filed by the Registrant with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on June 16, 2006 are incorporated herein by reference. The
purpose of this Registration Statement is to register the offering and sale of 577,200 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 3, 2007 to authorize additional shares and the amendment
was approved by the stockholders on May 31, 2007.
PART II
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
The exhibits listed in the accompanying Index to Exhibits are filed as a part of this
Registration Statement.
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
Brigham Exploration Company 1997 Director Stock Option Plan (as
amended effective January 1, 2009) (filed as Exhibit 10.48 to
Brigham's Current Report on Form 8-K (filed December 29, 2008) and
incorporated herein by reference)
4.2
Amendment to Brigham Exploration Company 1997 Director Stock Option
Plan, effective as of September 23, 2009 (filed as Exhibit 10.6 to
Brigham's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
September 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