Texas Drilling Permits: Week of October 22–October 29, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

Texas Drilling Permits: Week of October 22–October 29, 2026 — RRC Activity Report

The Railroad Commission of Texas recorded 521 new drilling permits for the week of October 22–October 29, 2026, signaling continued momentum across the state's core producing regions. The Permian Basin remained the dominant driver of activity, accounting for 123 permits during the week, as operators continue to prioritize capital toward the region's established acreage positions.

County-level filings showed Eddy County leading all areas with 65 new permits, followed closely by Lea County with 58. Martin County rounded out the top tier with 31 permits, while Glasscock County and Reeves County posted 25 and 24 permits, respectively. This grouping reflects the ongoing concentration of permitting activity in the Permian's most actively developed counties, where infrastructure, takeaway capacity, and rig availability continue to support steady development pacing.

On the operator side, Diamondback E&P LLC topped the list with 40 permits filed during the week, reinforcing its position as one of the most active drillers in the basin. Permian Resources Operating, LLC followed with 27 permits, while DE Central Operating, LLC filed 18. Avant Operating II, LLC and Chevron U S A Inc rounded out the top five with 17 and 15 permits, respectively. The spread of activity across both large independents and major integrated operators suggests broad-based confidence in near-term development plans heading into the fourth quarter.

Among this week's filings, several permits were flagged for early-stage review, including submissions from Quatro Oil and Gas, Inc. in Wichita County, Arenos Energy in Nacogdoches County, and three permits from Tidal Petroleum, Inc. in McMullen County. These filings currently carry a priority score of 0 with spud dates listed as TBD, indicating they are in the early stages of the permitting pipeline and worth monitoring for updates as operators finalize development timelines.

Pricing conditions remained supportive for continued permitting activity, with WTI crude settling at $101.86 per barrel, up $0.10 from the prior close. Stable pricing in this range continues to underpin operator willingness to file new permits and advance drilling programs across both oil-weighted and liquids-rich acreage.

For E&P teams, land professionals, and oilfield service providers, tracking weekly permit data offers an early signal of where capital and rig activity are headed next. DownHole Digital monitors Texas RRC permit filings in real time, giving industry professionals timely visibility into new drilling activity, operator trends, and emerging county-level hotspots as they develop.

Staying ahead of permit trends matters in a fast-moving market — learn more at downhole.digital.