Texas Drilling Permits: Week of May 04–May 11, 2026 — RRC Activity Report
The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) saw a total of 133 new drilling permits issued during the week of May 04–May 11, 2026. This report provides a snapshot of the week's activity, highlighting key counties, operators, and notable permit filings.
Upton County led the pack with 26 permits issued, demonstrating continued strong activity in the region. Midland and Martin counties tied for second place, each with 16 permits, followed closely by Reeves County with 15 permits and Reagan County with 11 permits. These counties represent significant areas of exploration and production in Texas.
PIONEER NATURAL RES. USA, INC. and DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC tied for the top spot among operators, each securing 20 permits. OVINTIV USA INC. followed with 11 permits, while XRI DISPOSAL HOLDINGS, LLC secured 8 permits, and VTX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC obtained 5 permits. These operators are actively driving drilling activity across the state.
The week also saw several high-priority permits filed. BKV BARNETT, LLC filed four permits (Permit #915354, #915355, #915356, and #915357) in Wise County. Additionally, R K PETROLEUM CORP. filed permit #915397 in Fisher County. All of these permits have a score of 0 and an estimated spud date of "TBD," indicating early-stage projects.
With WTI crude oil prices at $99.09/bbl, up $4.01 from the prior close, industry professionals are closely monitoring permit activity for strategic planning and market analysis. Real-time access to this crucial data is essential for staying ahead. DownHole Digital provides up-to-the-minute tracking of Texas RRC drilling permits, giving you the insights you need. Learn more at downhole.digital