Texas Drilling Permits: Week of April 08–April 15, 2026 — RRC Activity Report
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) issued a total of 59 new drilling permits during the week of April 08–April 15, 2026. This report provides a snapshot of the week's activity, highlighting key counties, operators, and notable permit filings. With WTI crude closing at $90.38/bbl, down $6.19 from the previous close, industry professionals are closely watching permit trends for insights into future production.
Midland County led the pack with 16 permits, indicating continued strong activity in the Permian Basin. Howard and Frio counties followed, each with 5 permits. Ward County saw 4 permits issued, while Ector County received 3. These figures offer valuable insights for landmen, service companies, and E&P firms assessing regional opportunities and resource allocation.
PERMIAN DEEP ROCK OIL CO., LLC and DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC tied for the most permits this week, each securing 7. FORMENTERA OPERATIONS LLC obtained 5 permits, followed by JETTA OPERATING COMPANY, INC. with 4. OVINTIV USA INC. rounded out the top operators with 3 permits. These operators are key players in the Texas oil and gas landscape, and their permit activity is a strong indicator of their strategic focus and investment decisions.
Several permits stand out as high-priority filings. Permit #914681, filed by HILCORP ENERGY COMPANY, targets Limestone County. OVINTIV USA INC. filed Permit #914672 in Upton County, and COLUMBUS ENERGY, LLC secured Permit #914678 in McMullen County. PERMIAN DEEP ROCK OIL CO., LLC filed two permits in Midland County, #914639 and #914640. While the estimated spud dates for these permits are yet to be determined, they represent significant potential for future drilling and production.
For real-time monitoring of RRC permit activity, including detailed information on operators, locations, and permit statuses, consider DownHole Digital. Learn more at downhole.digital