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

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

The Railroad Commission of Texas recorded 499 new drilling permits for the week of October 21–October 28, 2026, reflecting continued activity across the Permian Basin and surrounding plays despite softer crude pricing. WTI crude settled at $101.75 per barrel, down $1.52 from the prior close, yet operators maintained a steady pace of permitting heading into the final months of the year.

Eddy County led all counties with 65 new permits, followed closely by Lea County with 50. Martin County posted 33 permits, Glasscock County logged 25, and Reeves County rounded out the top five with 24. This distribution underscores the ongoing concentration of drilling interest in the Permian Basin, which accounted for 115 permits during the reporting period — a clear signal that operators continue to prioritize this region even amid pricing fluctuations.

On the operator side, Diamondback E&P LLC topped the list with 40 permits filed, reaffirming its position as one of the most active drillers in the basin. Permian Resources Operating, LLC followed with 27 permits, while Avant Operating II, LLC secured 17. Ovintiv USA Inc. filed 15 permits, and High Noon Resources, LLC rounded out the top five operators with 14. These five companies alone accounted for a significant share of total permitting activity for the week, suggesting sustained capital deployment from established Permian players.

Among the highest-priority permits tracked this week, Greenlake Energy Operating, LLC filed in Loving County, Ovintiv USA Inc. filed two permits in Midland County, BKV Barnett, LLC filed in Denton County, and XTO Energy Inc. filed in Martin County. Spud dates for these permits remain to be determined, and their priority scores currently sit at 0, meaning teams should monitor these closely as operators finalize completion schedules and rig assignments in the coming weeks.

For land teams, service companies, and operators tracking competitive activity, this week's data reinforces that the Permian Basin — spanning both Texas and southeastern New Mexico counties — remains the primary driver of U.S. drilling permit volume. Counties like Eddy, Lea, and Martin continue to see the heaviest filing activity, while a concentrated group of operators, including Diamondback, Permian Resources, and Ovintiv, account for a disproportionate share of new permits.

Staying current on permit filings, operator trends, and county-level activity is essential for business development, land acquisition, and service scheduling in a market that shifts week to week. DownHole Digital monitors Texas RRC permit data in real time, giving E&P teams, land professionals, and oilfield service providers a faster, more reliable way to track drilling activity as it happens.

Learn more at downhole.digital.