# Mid-Continent Rig and Permit Activity for Mineral Owners (2026) **TL;DR:** Active drilling rig deployment and new permit filings by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission are the strongest near-term indicators of mineral interest value in the Mid-Continent region. SCOOP/STACK Woodford and Meramec drilling dominates Canadian, Kingfisher, Garvin, and Grady counties, while Cherokee Platform and Anadarko Basin sub-regions see selective horizontal redevelopment. OCC Form 1000A drilling permits and pooling orders signal imminent drilling activity that typically increases fair market value for mineral owners in affected sections. --- ## Key Takeaways - **A new horizontal permit on or adjacent to your section typically increases fair market value** — the increase depends on your interest type, expected well economics, and existing lease terms. - **OCC Form 1000A (drilling permit) and OCC pooling orders are the two critical filings** — a 1000A means the operator intends to drill (3–9 month timeline from permit to spud), while a pooling order means a horizontal well is imminent. - **SCOOP/STACK counties (Canadian, Kingfisher, Blaine, Garvin, Grady, Major) have the highest rig concentration** — operators include Continental, Devon, Marathon, and Camino drilling Woodford Shale and Meramec stacked-pay horizontals. - **Operators filing multiple permits in a single county signal continued capital deployment** — persistent filers include Continental Resources (STACK Woodford), Camino Natural Resources (Anadarko Hunton), Ovintiv (STACK), and select Mississippi Lime operators on the Cherokee Platform. - **Five sub-regions define Mid-Continent activity patterns** — SCOOP/STACK, Anadarko Basin deep gas (Granite Wash/Springer), Cherokee Platform (Mississippi Lime/Hunton/Caney), Texas Panhandle (Granite Wash), and Arkoma Basin (Woodford gas tracking price cycles). - **Dormant sections tend to be worth less than production-only valuations suggest** — lack of new permits or rig activity for multiple years is a material negative signal for mineral value. - **Buckhead Energy integrates OCC filings and Baker Hughes rig data into every Mid-Continent valuation** — county-by-county intelligence informs fair market value estimates for mineral owners deciding whether to hold or sell. --- ## Page Highlights **Why Rigs and Permits Drive Mineral Value** For Mid-Continent mineral owners, activity on or near your acreage in the next 12–24 months is the single biggest variable in your interest's value. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission publishes operator filings within a few business days, and the Baker Hughes rig count tracks active rigs by county. **Rig Activity by Sub-Region** Active drilling in 2024–2026 concentrates in five sub-regions: SCOOP/STACK (Woodford/Meramec stacked-pay), Anadarko Basin deep gas (Granite Wash/Springer), Cherokee Platform (Mississippi Lime/Hunton/Caney horizontal redevelopment), Texas Panhandle (Granite Wash/Cleveland sand), and Arkoma Basin (Woodford gas tied to price cycles). **Permit Filing Patterns to Track** OCC Form 1000A (drilling permit application) and OCC pooling orders are the two filings that matter most. A new 1000A on your section means the operator intends to drill, typically 3–9 months from permit to spud; a pooling notice means a horizontal is imminent. **Operator Filing Patterns** Operators filing multiple new permits in a single county over the last 12 months signal continued capital deployment and often lead upcoming horizontal completions. Recent persistent filers include Continental Resources, Camino Natural Resources, and Ovintiv. **If a New Permit Lands on Your Section** A new horizontal permit on or adjacent to your section typically increases fair market value. If you've received an offer recently and a new permit has just landed, request an updated valuation that explicitly reflects the new permit. --- ## Related Topics - [How to Sell Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/how-to-sell-mineral-rights) - [What Are My Minerals Worth?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/what-are-my-minerals-worth) - [Should I Sell Mineral Rights?](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/should-i-sell) - [Beginner's Guide to Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/beginners-guide) - [Force Pooling Guide](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/force-pooling-guide) - [Pooling vs Unitization](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/pooling-vs-unitization) - [Mid-Continent Operators List](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/mid-continent-operators-list) - [Cherokee Platform Operators List](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/cherokee-platform-operators-list) --- **About Buckhead Energy** Buckhead Energy is a BBB-accredited mineral rights acquisition company purchasing directly from mineral owners across 33 states since 2007. The company provides free written valuations grounded in the latest OCC and Texas RRC permit and rig data. **Ready to explore your options?** [Get a free mineral valuation](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell) or call (817) 778-9532.