Texas Drilling Permits: Week of September 16–September 23, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Texas Drilling Permits: Week of September 16–September 23, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

The Texas Railroad Commission recorded 293 new drilling permits for the week of September 16–September 23, 2026, reflecting continued operator interest across the Permian Basin despite a notable pullback in crude prices. WTI settled at $90.53 per barrel, down $9.77 from the prior close, a swing that oilfield professionals will want to watch closely as it may influence permitting pace and capital allocation decisions in the weeks ahead.

Permian Basin activity accounted for 62 of the week's total permits, underscoring the region's continued dominance in Texas drilling activity. County-level data shows Lea County leading with 43 permits, followed by Martin County with 31, Loving County with 27, Eddy County with 19, and Reeves County with 18. These five counties together represent a significant share of the week's total filings, reinforcing the Permian's status as the primary driver of new drilling activity in the state.

On the operator side, Paloma Permian AssetCo, LLC topped the list with 26 permits, followed closely by Pioneer Natural Resources USA, Inc. with 24. Diamondback E&P LLC filed 18 permits, EOG Resources, Inc. secured 17, and Silver Hill Energy Operating LLC rounded out the top five with 13. This mix of large-cap independents and private operators highlights the breadth of activity across the Permian and surrounding plays.

Among the week's highest-priority permits, Continental Resources, Inc. filed in Ector County, while Lakewood Energy LLC submitted two permits in Reeves County. Sandalwood Exploration, L.P. filed in Live Oak County, and Verdun Oil & Gas LLC added a permit in Austin County. Spud dates for these filings remain TBD, so land teams and service providers should monitor these closely for updates as operators finalize development schedules.

For E&P teams, land professionals, and oilfield service companies, staying current on permit filings is essential for forecasting rig demand, planning logistics, and identifying new business opportunities before competitors move. With permitting activity spread across multiple counties and operators, manually tracking RRC filings can be time-consuming and prone to delays.

DownHole Digital monitors Texas RRC drilling permits in real time, giving operators, landmen, and service providers immediate visibility into new filings, top-active counties, and operator trends as they happen. This kind of up-to-date intelligence helps teams react quickly to shifting activity patterns, especially during periods of price volatility like the current WTI pullback.

As permit activity continues to shift across the Permian Basin and beyond, having access to timely, accurate data will remain a competitive advantage for anyone operating in the Texas oilfield services and land sector.

Learn more at downhole.digital.