Texas Drilling Permits: Week of July 30–August 06, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Texas Drilling Permits: Week of July 30–August 06, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

The Railroad Commission of Texas recorded 230 new drilling permits for the week of July 30–August 06, 2026, reflecting continued operator activity across the state's key producing regions even as WTI crude settled at $75.87 per barrel, down $4.47 from the prior close. The Permian Basin remained the dominant driver of permitting activity, accounting for 98 of the week's total filings.

County-level data shows Eddy County leading all counties with 62 permits, followed by Lea County with 36. Ector County posted 18 new permits, while Reeves County and Winkler County rounded out the top five with 10 and 8 permits, respectively. This concentration underscores the sustained operator interest in the western Permian and Delaware Basin acreage, where infrastructure buildout and multi-well pad development continue to support new filings despite softer crude pricing this week.

On the operator side, EOG Resources Inc. led all filers with a combined 38 permits across its two listed entities (25 and 13, respectively), signaling an active development program spanning multiple operating units. XTO Energy, Inc. followed with 20 permits, while Permian Resources Operating, LLC filed 19. Continental Resources, Inc. added 12 permits to round out the top five operators for the week. Together, these five companies accounted for roughly 42% of total statewide permit activity, reinforcing the Permian's role as the primary battleground for large-cap and independent operators alike.

Among the week's highest-priority permits, Mewbourne Oil Company filed four separate applications in Winkler County — permits #917470, #917471, #917472, and #917473 — indicating a likely multi-well pad development in that area. COG Operating LLC also filed a notable permit, #917466, in Andrews County. While spud dates for these permits remain listed as TBD, their filing pattern suggests near-term development planning worth tracking for land, midstream, and service companies positioning around these operators.

For E&P teams, land professionals, and oilfield service providers, this week's data reinforces that the Permian Basin — particularly Eddy, Lea, Ector, Reeves, and Winkler counties — continues to anchor Texas drilling activity even amid crude price volatility. Tracking permit filings by operator and county remains essential for anticipating rig moves, staffing needs, and midstream capacity planning in the weeks ahead.

DownHole Digital monitors RRC permit filings in real time, giving operators, land teams, and service companies early visibility into where drilling activity is concentrating before rigs move in. Staying ahead of permit trends like these can mean the difference between reacting to activity and positioning ahead of it.

Learn more at downhole.digital.