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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: 18pt">As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2009 Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-_________
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt; margin-top: 3pt">&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<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: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 0pt"><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><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction <BR>
of incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>75-2692967</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</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<BR>
Austin, Texas</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><br><B>78730</B><BR>
(Zip Code)</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" style="font-size: 1pt">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&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: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">Title of</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Amount</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed maximum</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Proposed</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px 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: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">securities to</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">to be</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">maximum aggregate</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px 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: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center">be registered</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registered (1)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">per share (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">offering price (2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">registration fee</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 $.01 per
share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="center" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">4,050,589 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">10.25</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">41,518,537.25</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">2,316.73</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="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 3pt; 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
November 30, 2009.</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"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</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>
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<TR>
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</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="d70280exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d70280exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="d70280exv23w3.htm">EX-23.3</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
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<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 and Registration Statement No.&nbsp;333-135028
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 and June&nbsp;15, 2006,
respectively, are incorporated herein by reference. The purpose of this Registration Statement is
to register the offering and sale of 4,050,589 additional shares of Common Stock of the Registrant
pursuant to the Plan. The Board of Directors
of the Registrant approved the amendments to the Plan to authorize additional shares effective April
22, 2009 and on August&nbsp;19, 2009 and the amendments were approved by the
stockholders on May&nbsp;28, 2009 and October&nbsp;7, 2009.
</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"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<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 December 1, 2009.
</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 (including post-effective amendments and supplements)
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 December 1, 2009.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Ben M. Brigham
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Ben M. Brigham&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Chief Executive Officer, President and<br>
Chairman of the Board<br>
(Principal Executive Officer)</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Eugene B. Shepherd, Jr.&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Chief Financial Officer<br>
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ David T. Brigham
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">David T. Brigham&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Director</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Harold D. Carter
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Harold D. Carter&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Director</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Stephen C. Hurley
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Stephen C. Hurley&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Director</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

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

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



<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Stephen P. Reynolds
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Stephen P. Reynolds&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Director</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Hobart A. Smith
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Hobart A. Smith&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Director</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Scott W. Tinker
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">Scott W. Tinker&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><I>Director</I>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

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


<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>

</TABLE>
<!-- 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="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="90%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" 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"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" 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 align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">1997 Incentive Plan (as amended effective May&nbsp;28, 2009) (filed
as Exhibit&nbsp;10.44 to Brigham&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed May&nbsp;28, 2009 and
incorporated herein by reference)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" 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 align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">1997 Incentive Plan (as amended effective August&nbsp;19, 2009)
(filed as Exhibit&nbsp;10.50 to Brigham&#146;s Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K filed October
13, 2009 and incorporated herein by reference)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" 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 align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Thompson &#038; Knight L.L.P.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" 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 align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Thompson &#038; Knight L.L.P. (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1 filed herewith)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" 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 align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG, LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" 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 align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Cawley Gillespie &#038; Associates, Inc.</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" 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 align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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

</BODY>
</HTML>
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sv8
Table of Contents
As
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 4, 2009 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
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
75-2692967
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6300 Bridge Point Parkway, Suite 500
Austin, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)
78730
(Zip Code)
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
4,050,589 shares
$
10.25
$
41,518,537.25
$
2,316.73
(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
November 30, 2009.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART II
Item 8. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
EX-5.1
EX-23.2
EX-23.3
Table of Contents
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The contents of Registration Statement No. 333-56961 and Registration Statement No. 333-135028
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 and June 15, 2006,
respectively, are incorporated herein by reference. The purpose of this Registration Statement is
to register the offering and sale of 4,050,589 additional shares of Common Stock of the Registrant
pursuant to the Plan. The Board of Directors
of the Registrant approved the amendments to the Plan to authorize additional shares effective April
22, 2009 and on August 19, 2009 and the amendments were approved by the
stockholders on May 28, 2009 and October 7, 2009.
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 December 1, 2009.
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 (including post-effective amendments and supplements)
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 December 1, 2009.
/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/ Scott W. Tinker
Scott W. Tinker
Director
Table of Contents
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number
Exhibit
4.1
1997 Incentive Plan (as amended effective May 28, 2009) (filed
as Exhibit 10.44 to Brigham's Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 28, 2009 and
incorporated herein by reference)
4.2
1997 Incentive Plan (as amended effective August 19, 2009)
(filed as Exhibit 10.50 to Brigham's Current Report on Form 8-K filed October
13, 2009 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 KPMG, LLP
23.3
Consent of Cawley Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
24.1
Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page hereto)