Texas Drilling Permits: Week of October 20–October 27, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Texas Drilling Permits: Week of October 20–October 27, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Texas operators filed 497 new drilling permits with the Railroad Commission during the week of October 20–October 27, 2026, underscoring continued activity across the state's core producing basins. The Permian Basin remained the primary driver of permitting volume, accounting for 99 of the week's filings, as operators continue to lock in future drilling locations amid supportive pricing. WTI crude settled at $101.06 per barrel, up $1.59 from the prior close, giving operators additional incentive to advance permitting and development plans heading into the final months of the year.

Eddy County led all counties with 53 new permits, followed closely by Lea County with 46. Both counties continue to see steady activity as operators work across the Delaware Basin on both sides of the Texas-New Mexico border. Midland County posted 34 permits, Martin County added 28, and Reeves County rounded out the top five with 27 filings. Together, these five counties accounted for a significant share of total statewide permitting, reinforcing the Permian's position as the dominant basin for new drilling authorizations this cycle.

On the operator side, Diamondback E&P LLC topped the list with 48 permits, maintaining its position as one of the most active permit filers in the state. Permian Resources Operating, LLC followed with 27 permits, while Avant Operating II, LLC filed 17. Ovintiv USA Inc. added 15 permits, and Pioneer Natural Res. USA, Inc. rounded out the top five with 12. These five operators combined for nearly a quarter of the week's total permit volume, reflecting continued consolidation of drilling activity among large-scale Permian operators.

Among the week's filings, several permits stood out for tracking purposes, including Permit #919517 from Active Iron Energy, LLC in Gaines County, and Permit #919487 from Pioneer Natural Res. USA, Inc. in Midland County. Burlington Resources O & G Co LP also filed multiple permits outside the Permian footprint, including Permit #919503 and Permit #919506 in Karnes County, along with Permit #919469 in Live Oak County — signaling continued interest in Eagle Ford acreage alongside Permian-focused activity.

For land teams, service companies, and E&P professionals tracking permit trends, staying current on weekly RRC filings is essential for identifying emerging activity, anticipating rig moves, and prioritizing business development outreach. DownHole Digital monitors Texas RRC permit data in real time, giving operators and service providers an early look at where drilling activity is concentrating by county, basin, and operator.

Learn more about real-time permit tracking and alerts at downhole.digital.