UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

_________________

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

_________________

  Date of Report
(Date of earliest
event reported):          October 26, 2004

Whiting Petroleum Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
1-31899
20-0098515
(State or other (Commission File (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)

1700 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, Colorado 80290-2300
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(303) 837-1661
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

_________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Item 5.02.     Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers.

        On October 26, 2004, the Board of Directors of Whiting Petroleum Corporation (the “Company”), appointed Palmer L. Moe as a director of the Company and to serve on the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors.

        A copy of the Company’s press release announcing Mr. Moe’s appointment, issued by the Company on October 26, 2004, is furnished as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

  (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable.

  (b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable.

  (c) Exhibits:

  (99) Press Release of Whiting Petroleum Corporation, dated October 26, 2004.











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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION


Date:  October 26, 2004
By:  /s/ James J. Volker
        James J. Volker
        Chairman, President and
        Chief Executive Officer















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WHITING PETROLEUM CORPORATION
FORM 8-K
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

                    Description

(99) Press Release of Whiting Petroleum Corporation, dated October 26, 2004.
















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