Texas Drilling Permits: Week of September 21–September 28, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Texas Drilling Permits: Week of September 21–September 28, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Operators filed 114 new drilling permits with the Texas Railroad Commission during the week of September 21–September 28, 2026, signaling continued momentum in Permian-focused development as WTI crude climbed to $95.74 per barrel, up $3.58 from the prior close. The price move is likely giving operators added confidence to lock in drilling schedules heading into the fourth quarter.

Lea County led all counties with 39 new permits, followed closely by Eddy County with 32. Together, these two counties accounted for more than 60% of total permit activity for the week, underscoring the Permian Basin's continued dominance in Texas drilling plans. The Permian Basin overall captured 71 of the 114 permits issued, reaffirming its status as the primary growth engine for operators navigating the current price environment.

Beyond the Permian, Shelby County saw notable activity with 8 permits, driven largely by Silver Hill Energy Operating LLC, which filed multiple permits in the county this week. Loving County posted 6 permits, while Reagan County rounded out the top five with 5 permits.

On the operator side, COG Operating LLC topped the list with 13 new permits, followed by Kaiser-Francis Oil Co with 12. Marathon Oil Permian LLC filed 11 permits, continuing its steady pace of Permian development. Avant Operating II, LLC added 9 permits, and Matador Production Company rounded out the top five with 6 permits filed during the week.

Among the highest-priority permits tracked this week, Silver Hill Energy Operating LLC filed three separate permits in Shelby County — #918827, #918828, and #918829 — alongside a fourth, #918830, all pending spud scheduling. PDEH LLC also filed a priority permit, #918835, in Loving County. Spud dates for these wells remain to be determined, but their filing volume suggests active leasehold development in East Texas and the Delaware Basin portion of the Permian.

For land teams, E&P planners, and oilfield service providers, this week's permit data offers a clear read on where capital is flowing: heavy concentration in Lea and Eddy counties, sustained Permian activity, and targeted East Texas development from operators like Silver Hill Energy. Tracking these filings in real time is critical for identifying service opportunities, competitive positioning, and regional demand shifts before they show up in production numbers.

DownHole Digital monitors RRC permit activity continuously, giving operators, service companies, and land professionals early visibility into where drilling activity is heading across Texas and New Mexico. Staying ahead of permit trends like this week's Lea and Eddy county surge can mean the difference between reacting to the market and positioning ahead of it.

To get real-time permit tracking and weekly RRC activity reports delivered straight to your team, learn more at downhole.digital.