Texas Drilling Permits: Week of August 13–August 20, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Texas Drilling Permits: Week of August 13–August 20, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Operators filed 406 new drilling permits with the Texas Railroad Commission during the week of August 13–August 20, 2026, reflecting continued momentum across the Permian Basin as WTI crude climbed to $87.18 per barrel, up $2.68 from the prior close. The price move gives operators added incentive to lock in permits while margins remain favorable, and permitting data suggests many are doing exactly that.

Lea County led all counties with 133 new permits, followed closely by Eddy County with 117. Culberson County posted 22 permits, Andrews County added 15, and Reeves County rounded out the top five with 13. Together, these five counties accounted for the bulk of statewide activity, underscoring the Permian Basin's continued dominance this cycle. Basin-level totals show 250 permits tied directly to Permian operations, or roughly 62% of all filings for the week — a clear signal that operators are concentrating capital in the region's core acreage.

On the operator side, EOG Resources Inc. was the clear leader with 98 permits filed, more than triple the next closest competitor. Devon Energy Production Company, LP and Coterra Energy Operating Co. tied for second with 22 permits apiece, while XTO Permian Operating LLC and XTO Energy, Inc. each filed 21 permits. The presence of multiple XTO entities highlights ExxonMobil's continued restructuring and expansion of its Permian development strategy through separate operating units.

Beyond the Permian, several notable permits were filed in East and South Texas plays. Davis Southern Operating Co LLC filed in Jasper County, Magnolia Oil & Gas Operating LLC filed in Washington County, and Rose City Resources, LLC filed in Marion County. Silver Hill Energy Operating LLC filed two permits in Karnes County, signaling continued interest in the Eagle Ford despite the Permian's outsized share of statewide activity. These permits currently carry a priority score of 0 with spud dates listed as TBD, meaning operators have not yet finalized development timelines.

For land teams, midstream planners, and oilfield service companies, tracking permit filings in near real time remains essential for forecasting rig demand, frac crew scheduling, and acreage competition. DownHole Digital monitors RRC permit activity continuously, flagging new filings by county, operator, and basin as they're submitted — giving teams a head start on emerging development trends before they show up in public rig counts.

With crude prices trending upward and Permian permitting activity staying strong, the coming weeks will be worth watching closely for shifts in operator behavior and spud scheduling.

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