Texas Drilling Permits: Week of May 13–May 20, 2026 — RRC Activity Report
The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) issued a total of 212 new drilling permits during the week of May 13–May 20, 2026, signaling continued activity across the state. This report provides a snapshot of the week's permitting landscape, offering valuable insights for oil and gas professionals.
Midland County led the pack with 40 permits, demonstrating its continued dominance as a key area for exploration and production. Webb County followed with 22 permits, while Reeves County saw 13 permits issued. Karnes County and Winkler County rounded out the top counties with 8 and 7 permits, respectively, highlighting diverse activity across various Texas basins.
EOG RESOURCES, INC. topped the list of operators, securing 16 permits. DIAMONDBACK E&P LLC followed closely with 15 permits, and COG OPERATING LLC obtained 14 permits. APACHE CORPORATION and MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC also demonstrated significant activity, with 10 and 8 permits, respectively.
Several permits were flagged as high priority this week. These include Permit #915586 in McMullen County for GULFTEX ENERGY, LLC, Permit #915598 in Wharton County for REMORA MANAGEMENT, LLC, and Permit #915563 in Midland County for COG OPERATING LLC. MAGNOLIA OIL & GAS OPERATING LLC received permits #915553 and #915554, both in Karnes County. The estimated spud dates for these permits are still to be determined.
WTI crude oil closed at $102.6/bbl, down $2.82 from the prior close, which may impact future drilling decisions.
Stay informed with real-time permit data. DownHole Digital provides up-to-the-minute updates on Texas RRC drilling permits, including operator details, county locations, and permit statuses. Learn more at downhole.digital