◆Draft preview.
We're still finalizing how we count (details). The data
itself is real, from the RRC's public records, but some numbers could shift
a little once the counting rules are locked in.
Where Texas is permitting: 2026Q1
Original drilling permits by county, shown as the change since 2025Q4. Hover over a county to see its numbers. Click one to compare its most active operators.
← 2025Q4 · 2026Q1 · 2026Q2 → permit counts · change vs prior quarter
≤−30
−29…−10
−9…−1
0
+1…+9
+10…+29
+30 and up
132 counties had at least one permit approved in 2026Q1.
Table view: every county with activity (155)
| County | 2025Q4 | 2026Q1 | Δ | Top operators (2026Q1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIDLAND (329) | 144 | 159 | +15 | DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC (71) · PIONEER NATURAL RES. USA, INC. (40) · OXYROCK OPERATING, LLC (18) |
| UPTON (461) | 109 | 143 | +34 | PIONEER NATURAL RES. USA, INC. (52) · COG OPERATING LLC (25) · APACHE CORPORATION (24) |
| LOVING (301) | 64 | 137 | +73 | ANADARKO E&P ONSHORE LLC (59) · EOG RESOURCES, INC. (17) · ADMIRAL PERMIAN OPERATING LLC (12) |
| REEVES (389) | 105 | 134 | +29 | PERMIAN RESOURCES OPERATING, LLC (32) · ANADARKO E&P ONSHORE LLC (17) · U.S. ENERGY DEVELOPMENT CORP (11) |
| MARTIN (317) | 103 | 109 | +6 | PIONEER NATURAL RES. USA, INC. (68) · OVINTIV USA INC. (15) · OXYROCK OPERATING, LLC (13) |
| GLASSCOCK (173) | 65 | 87 | +22 | DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC (26) · PIONEER NATURAL RES. USA, INC. (26) · OXYROCK OPERATING, LLC (16) |
| WEBB (479) | 68 | 78 | +10 | SILVERBOW RESOURCES OPER, LLC (16) · SM ENERGY COMPANY (16) · CATURUS ENERGY, LLC (15) |
| DE WITT (123) | 29 | 71 | +42 | BURLINGTON RESOURCES O & G CO LP (32) · DEVON ENERGY PRODUCTION CO, L.P. (20) · BPX OPERATING COMPANY (15) |
| HOWARD (227) | 39 | 62 | +23 | DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC (32) · APACHE CORPORATION (13) · LANGFORD & BRIGHAM OPERATING LLC (7) |
| REAGAN (383) | 41 | 59 | +18 | DE CENTRAL OPERATING, LLC (37) · PERMIAN RESOURCES OPERATING, LLC (10) · DISCOVERY NATURAL RESOURCES LLC (7) |
| YOAKUM (501) | 14 | 55 | +41 | OCCIDENTAL PERMIAN LTD. (28) · RILEY PERMIAN OPERATING CO, LLC (10) · OXY USA WTP LP (9) |
| ECTOR (135) | 58 | 51 | -7 | DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC (30) · OCCIDENTAL PERMIAN LTD. (17) · RING ENERGY, INC. (2) |
| CULBERSON (109) | 28 | 47 | +19 | COTERRA ENERGY OPERATING CO. (44) · CAPITAN ENERGY, INCORPORATED (3) |
| CRANE (103) | 32 | 42 | +10 | BLACKBEARD OPERATING, LLC (33) · BTA OIL PRODUCERS, LLC (7) · RING ENERGY, INC. (2) |
| WINKLER (495) | 9 | 36 | +27 | PDEH LLC (12) · BASIN OIL & GAS OPERATING, LLC (6) · CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC. (6) |
| SAN AUGUSTINE (405) | 14 | 34 | +20 | APEX NATURAL GAS, LLC (27) · ROCKCLIFF ENERGY OPERATING III (4) · BPX OPERATING COMPANY (2) |
| ANDREWS (3) | 63 | 30 | -33 | OVINTIV USA INC. (11) · FASKEN OIL AND RANCH, LTD. (8) · RING ENERGY, INC. (6) |
| GAINES (165) | 19 | 30 | +11 | OXY USA INC. (25) · OCCIDENTAL PERMIAN LTD. (2) · BEACH EXPLORATION, INC. (1) |
| DIMMIT (127) | 30 | 29 | -1 | JAVELIN ENERGY PARTNERS MGMT LLC (13) · MURPHY EXPL. & PROD. CO. - USA (6) · ROSEWOOD RESOURCES, INC. (5) |
| LA SALLE (283) | 32 | 26 | -6 | LEWIS PETRO PROPERTIES, INC. (10) · INEOS USA OIL & GAS LLC (7) · VERDUN OIL EF II LLC (6) |
| MCMULLEN (311) | 24 | 22 | -2 | BPX OPERATING COMPANY (6) · GULFTEX ENERGY, LLC (6) · EOG RESOURCES, INC. (5) |
| PANOLA (365) | 14 | 21 | +7 | TGNR PANOLA LLC (10) · COMSTOCK OIL & GAS, LLC (3) · R. LACY SERVICES, LTD. (3) |
| DAWSON (115) | 17 | 19 | +2 | PBEX-MCM OPERATING, LLC (8) · APACHE CORPORATION (6) · HIBERNIA RESOURCES IV, LLC (4) |
| GONZALES (177) | 2 | 19 | +17 | MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC (12) · EOG RESOURCES, INC. (7) |
| HARRISON (203) | 27 | 19 | -8 | TGNR EAST TEXAS II LLC (6) · SABINE ENERGY INC. (3) · RFE OPERATING, LLC (3) |
| WARD (475) | 20 | 19 | -1 | APACHE CORPORATION (11) · MANTI TARKA PERMIAN OP, LLC (4) · PILOT WATER GATH DELAWARE LLC (2) |
| JACK (237) | 10 | 17 | +7 | OAKRIDGE OIL AND GAS, LP (9) · FX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC (4) · BORDERLINE OPERATING CORP. (2) |
| PECOS (371) | 29 | 17 | -12 | KINDER MORGAN PRODUCTION CO LLC (7) · BLUE ARROW OPERATING, LLC (5) · CONTINENTAL RESOURCES, INC. (4) |
| ARCHER (9) | 4 | 16 | +12 | BORDERLINE OPERATING CORP. (4) · BRIDWELL OIL CO. (2) · OLNEY OIL LLC (2) |
| KARNES (255) | 52 | 16 | -36 | MARATHON OIL EF LLC (14) · PALOMA OPERATING, LLC (1) · BURLINGTON RESOURCES O & G CO LP (1) |
| LAVACA (285) | 17 | 16 | -1 | PETROVYBE OPCO LLC (4) · FW EAGLE FORD I, LLC (4) · EOG RESOURCES, INC. (4) |
| IRION (235) | 19 | 15 | -4 | TRIPLE CROWN RESOURCES, LLC (8) · SEM OPERATING COMPANY LLC (6) · MUNSON, DAVID M. INC. (1) |
| BORDEN (33) | 18 | 14 | -4 | HIGHPEAK ENERGY HOLDINGS, LLC (7) · SURGE OPERATING, LLC (4) · YUKON EXPLORATION OPERATING, LLC (2) |
| FRIO (163) | 17 | 14 | -3 | FORMENTERA OPERATIONS LLC (6) · CENTRAL GULF PETROLEUM INC (5) · TEXAS AMERICAN RESOURCES COMPANY (2) |
| JEFFERSON (245) | 1 | 12 | +11 | EXXONMOBIL LOW C SOL ON STOR LLC (10) · RHEACO OIL COMPANY, LTD. (1) · RUSK ENERGY OPERATING LLC (1) |
| LIVE OAK (297) | 24 | 12 | -12 | BURLINGTON RESOURCES O & G CO LP (7) · MUELLER EXPLORATION, INC. (2) · AURORA RESOURCES CORPORATION (1) |
| NACOGDOCHES (347) | 8 | 12 | +4 | EXCO OPERATING COMPANY, LP (9) · LARAMIDE RESOURCES, LP (1) · COMMON DISPOSAL, LLC (1) |
| BAYLOR (23) | 5 | 11 | +6 | WAGGONER OPERATING, L.L.C. (11) |
| FAYETTE (149) | 5 | 10 | +5 | ROSEWOOD RESOURCES, INC. (7) · TIDAL PETROLEUM, INC. (3) |
| SCURRY (415) | 2 | 10 | +8 | KINDER MORGAN PRODUCTION CO LLC (8) · THREE SPAN OIL & GAS, INC. (2) |
| MITCHELL (335) | 10 | 9 | -1 | SAGUARO PETROLEUM, LLC (7) · KEK EXPLORATION LLC (1) · SD ROYALE ENERGY, INC. (1) |
| TARRANT (439) | 12 | 9 | -3 | UPP OPERATING, LLC (4) · TEP BARNETT USA, LLC (3) · BKV NORTH TEXAS, LLC (2) |
| TRINITY (455) | 0 | 9 | +9 | WALKER OPERATING COMPANY (9) |
| FREESTONE (161) | 7 | 8 | +1 | HILCORP ENERGY COMPANY (6) · COMSTOCK OIL & GAS, LLC (1) · PUMPING SERVICES, INC. (1) |
| SABINE (403) | 1 | 8 | +7 | SILVER HILL ENERGY OPERATING LLC (8) |
| SMITH (423) | 2 | 8 | +6 | SABINE ENERGY INC. (3) · VALENCE OPERATING COMPANY (3) · ATMOS PIPELINE - TEXAS (1) |
| LEE (287) | 4 | 7 | +3 | SAGE NATURAL RESOURCES LLC (5) · MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC (2) |
| RUSK (401) | 2 | 7 | +5 | RFE OPERATING, LLC (3) · BUCKHORN OPERATING LLC (2) · BUFFCO PRODUCTION INC. (2) |
| CROCKETT (105) | 4 | 6 | +2 | PETX OPERATING LLC (4) · BEACH EXPLORATION, INC. (1) · SCOUT ENERGY MANAGEMENT LLC (1) |
| HEMPHILL (211) | 1 | 6 | +5 | MEWBOURNE OIL COMPANY (4) · ENERVEST OPERATING, L.L.C. (1) · SANGUINE GAS EXPLORATION, LLC (1) |
| HOCKLEY (219) | 5 | 6 | +1 | TEXLAND PETROLEUM, L.P. (4) · SADDLE RIM ENERGY (TEXAS), LLC (2) |
| SHELBY (419) | 6 | 6 | +0 | ADAMAS ENERGY LLC (5) · FORZA OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| ZAVALA (507) | 2 | 6 | +4 | ROSEWOOD RESOURCES, INC. (4) · CML EXPLORATION, LLC (2) |
| BRAZORIA (39) | 3 | 5 | +2 | DENBURY ONSHORE, LLC (4) · ZACHRY EXPLORATION, LLC (1) |
| COOKE (97) | 10 | 5 | -5 | FELDERHOFF PRODUCTION COMPANY (2) · KODIAK OIL & GAS, INC. (1) · TRIPLE G WELL SERVICE, INC. (1) |
| HARDIN (199) | 0 | 5 | +5 | WHITEHEAD RESOURCES, LTD. (2) · FOUNDATION ENERGY MANAGEMENT LLC (1) · GATEWAY OPERATING LLC (1) |
| LIBERTY (291) | 0 | 5 | +5 | EXXONMOBIL LOW C SOL ON STOR LLC (3) · DRUM OIL & GAS, INC. (2) |
| LUBBOCK (303) | 0 | 5 | +5 | ATMOS ENERGY,WEST TEXAS DIVISION (5) |
| WASHINGTON (477) | 9 | 5 | -4 | MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC (4) · GEOSOUTHERN OPERATING II, LLC (1) |
| ANGELINA (5) | 2 | 4 | +2 | ADAMAS ENERGY LLC (4) |
| BEXAR (29) | 3 | 4 | +1 | JM CALK OPERATING, LLC (4) |
| LEON (289) | 7 | 4 | -3 | COMSTOCK OIL & GAS, LLC (2) · HILCORP ENERGY COMPANY (2) |
| STARR (427) | 2 | 4 | +2 | TRIAD O&G, LLC (1) · ILEX ENERGY CORPORATION (1) · KILLAM OIL CO., LTD. (1) |
| STONEWALL (433) | 1 | 4 | +3 | CHISHOLM OPERATING, INC. (1) · KINDER MORGAN CO2 COMPANY LLC (1) · L.C.S. PRODUCTION COMPANY (1) |
| TERRY (445) | 11 | 4 | -7 | BASIN OIL & GAS OPERATING, LLC (3) · OCCIDENTAL PERMIAN LTD. (1) |
| VAN ZANDT (467) | 4 | 4 | +0 | BASA RESOURCES, INC. (4) |
| WILBARGER (487) | 0 | 4 | +4 | WAGGONER OPERATING, L.L.C. (2) · RIGGINS ENERGY, INC. (1) · BURK ROYALTY CO., LTD. (1) |
| WISE (497) | 6 | 4 | -2 | BKV NORTH TEXAS, LLC (3) · BKV BARNETT, LLC (1) |
| DUVAL (131) | 3 | 3 | +0 | KD ENERGY, LLC (3) |
| FISHER (151) | 4 | 3 | -1 | ATMOS ENERGY CORP., MID-TEX DIV. (1) · ICA ENERGY OPERATING, L.L.C. (1) · R K PETROLEUM CORP. (1) |
| GOLIAD (175) | 0 | 3 | +3 | T-C OIL COMPANY, LLC (3) |
| JASPER (241) | 0 | 3 | +3 | WHITEHEAD RESOURCES, LTD. (2) · PALEO OIL COMPANY LLC (1) |
| MAVERICK (323) | 0 | 3 | +3 | ENDEAVOR NATURAL GAS, LP (2) · BLACKBRUSH O & G, LLC (1) |
| ROBERTSON (395) | 4 | 3 | -1 | WILDFIRE ENERGY OPERATING LLC (3) |
| SHACKELFORD (417) | 6 | 3 | -3 | OAKTREE OIL COMPANY (1) · RUTHSON ENERGY, INC. (1) · STASNEY WELL SERVICE, LLC (1) |
| WHARTON (481) | 2 | 3 | +1 | AMEXCO, LLC (1) · PALOMA OPERATING, LLC (1) · RICOCHET ENERGY, INC. (1) |
| ANDERSON (1) | 2 | 2 | +0 | EXPAND OPERATING LLC (1) · TRUEBLOOD RESOURCES, INC. (1) |
| AUSTIN (15) | 0 | 2 | +2 | ENHANCED ENERGY PARTNERS CORP (2) |
| BEE (25) | 1 | 2 | +1 | PALOMA OPERATING, LLC (1) · ROYAL PRODUCTION COMPANY, INC. (1) |
| BROOKS (47) | 0 | 2 | +2 | OVERTON PARK OIL & GAS LP (1) · STROUD PETROLEUM, INC. (1) |
| CASS (67) | 1 | 2 | +1 | ROSE CITY RESOURCES, LLC (2) |
| CHAMBERS (71) | 0 | 2 | +2 | MAGNETAR OPERATING LLC (1) · ZACHRY EXPLORATION, LLC (1) |
| CLAY (77) | 7 | 2 | -5 | MUIRFIELD EXPLORATION, LTD. (2) |
| DENTON (121) | 6 | 2 | -4 | BKV BARNETT II, LLC (2) |
| GREGG (183) | 1 | 2 | +1 | MUD CREEK OPERATING, LLC (1) · ROSE CITY RESOURCES, LLC (1) |
| HARDEMAN (197) | 3 | 2 | -1 | PWR OPERATING, LLC (1) · BUFFCO PRODUCTION INC. (1) |
| KNOX (275) | 3 | 2 | -1 | WAGGONER OPERATING, L.L.C. (1) · CHISHOLM OPERATING, INC. (1) |
| MORRIS (343) | 1 | 2 | +1 | ROSE CITY RESOURCES, LLC (2) |
| NEWTON (351) | 3 | 2 | -1 | EXXONMOBIL LOW C SOL ON STOR LLC (1) · THERON ENERGY OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| OCHILTREE (357) | 2 | 2 | +0 | MEWBOURNE OIL COMPANY (2) |
| OLDHAM (359) | 0 | 2 | +2 | SUNLIGHT EXPLORATION, INC. (2) |
| PALO PINTO (363) | 2 | 2 | +0 | FX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC (2) |
| REFUGIO (391) | 2 | 2 | +0 | T-C OIL COMPANY, LLC (2) |
| SCHLEICHER (413) | 2 | 2 | +0 | OIL PROJECTS, LLC (1) · TXP, INCORPORATED (1) |
| STEPHENS (429) | 1 | 2 | +1 | S.B. STREET OPERATING, INC. (1) · SAFARI RESOURCES, LLC (1) |
| TYLER (457) | 1 | 2 | +1 | DAVIS SOUTHERN OPERATING CO LLC (1) · MAGNUM OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| UPSHUR (459) | 0 | 2 | +2 | TANOS EXPLORATION IV, LLC (1) · SABINE ENERGY INC. (1) |
| VICTORIA (469) | 0 | 2 | +2 | AMPAK OIL COMPANY (1) · SHORE PETROLEUM CORP. (1) |
| YOUNG (503) | 5 | 2 | -3 | COOPER OIL & GAS, LLC (1) · RUTHSON ENERGY, INC. (1) |
| HIGH IS-SB (606) | 0 | 2 | +2 | EXXONMOBIL LOW C SOL ON STOR LLC (2) |
| ATASCOSA (13) | 1 | 1 | +0 | EOG RESOURCES, INC. (1) |
| CALDWELL (55) | 2 | 1 | -1 | RR VENTURES LIMITED PARTNERSHIP (1) |
| CALLAHAN (59) | 2 | 1 | -1 | ENERGY TRANSFER COMPANY (1) |
| CHEROKEE (73) | 1 | 1 | +0 | FAULCONER ENERGY, LLC (1) |
| FOARD (155) | 1 | 1 | +0 | S.B. STREET OPERATING, INC. (1) |
| GALVESTON (167) | 1 | 1 | +0 | KALER ENERGY CORP. (1) |
| GUADALUPE (187) | 0 | 1 | +1 | TRI-W OIL (1) |
| HARRIS (201) | 0 | 1 | +1 | FRIO RESOURCES, LLC (1) |
| HENDERSON (213) | 2 | 1 | -1 | URBAN OIL & GAS GROUP, LLC (1) |
| JIM HOGG (247) | 2 | 1 | -1 | CHARRO OPERATING, L.L.C. (1) |
| KENT (263) | 5 | 1 | -4 | OXY USA WTP LP (1) |
| KING (269) | 2 | 1 | -1 | HALLIBURTON OPERATING COMPANY (1) |
| MADISON (313) | 0 | 1 | +1 | BULL RUN RESOURCES, LLC (1) |
| MATAGORDA (321) | 2 | 1 | -1 | UNDERGROUND SERVICES MARKHAM,LLC (1) |
| MILAM (331) | 0 | 1 | +1 | ENERGY TRANSFER COMPANY (1) |
| MOORE (341) | 0 | 1 | +1 | P & F OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| NOLAN (353) | 1 | 1 | +0 | LPR ENERGY, LLC (1) |
| NUECES (355) | 2 | 1 | -1 | PALOMA OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| POLK (373) | 1 | 1 | +0 | PRIME OPERATING COMPANY (1) |
| ROBERTS (393) | 0 | 1 | +1 | TEXAKOMA E & P, LLC (1) |
| RUNNELS (399) | 2 | 1 | -1 | QUAIL WELL SERVICE, INC. (1) |
| SAN JACINTO (407) | 0 | 1 | +1 | ARCADIA OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| SAN PATRICIO (409) | 1 | 1 | +0 | MPG PETROLEUM, INC. (1) |
| TAYLOR (441) | 4 | 1 | -3 | WINCHESTER ENERGY, LLC (1) |
| THROCKMORTON (447) | 0 | 1 | +1 | S.B. STREET OPERATING, INC. (1) |
| TOM GREEN (451) | 3 | 1 | -2 | HIBERNIA RESOURCES IV, LLC (1) |
| TRAVIS (453) | 0 | 1 | +1 | KINDER MORGAN TEXAS PIPELINE LLC (1) |
| WALLER (473) | 0 | 1 | +1 | PALOMA OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| WHEELER (483) | 1 | 1 | +0 | SANDLOT OIL & GAS LLC (1) |
| WICHITA (485) | 7 | 1 | -6 | NEWPORT OPERATING, LLC (1) |
| WOOD (499) | 4 | 1 | -3 | STRAND ENERGY, L.C. (1) |
| HIGH IS-LB (708) | 0 | 1 | +1 | EXXONMOBIL LOW C SOL ON STOR LLC (1) |
| BURLESON (51) | 3 | 0 | -3 | |
| DEAF SMITH (117) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| DICKENS (125) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| GARZA (169) | 3 | 0 | -3 | |
| GRAYSON (181) | 3 | 0 | -3 | |
| HASKELL (207) | 2 | 0 | -2 | |
| HOPKINS (223) | 2 | 0 | -2 | |
| HOUSTON (225) | 3 | 0 | -3 | |
| JACKSON (239) | 2 | 0 | -2 | |
| JIM WELLS (249) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| JONES (253) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| KAUFMAN (257) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| KLEBERG (273) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| LIPSCOMB (295) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| MARION (315) | 4 | 0 | -4 | |
| NAVARRO (349) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| ORANGE (361) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| PARKER (367) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| POTTER (375) | 2 | 0 | -2 | |
| RAINS (379) | 2 | 0 | -2 | |
| SUTTON (435) | 10 | 0 | -10 | |
| WALKER (471) | 1 | 0 | -1 | |
| WILSON (493) | 4 | 0 | -4 |