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Midland Basin Mineral Rights 2026

The heart of the Permian Basin. Premium West Texas minerals with stacked pay potential.

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Last Updated: January 2026 | Reviewed by Buckhead Energy Team

The Midland Basin: Permian Powerhouse

The Midland Basin represents the eastern half of the legendary Permian Basin, home to some of the most productive oil wells in American history. Centered around the city of Midland, Texas, this basin has produced oil since the 1920s and shows no signs of slowing down.

Modern horizontal drilling and multi-zone completions have unlocked reserves that earlier generations of oilmen could only dream about. For mineral owners in the Midland Basin, this ongoing development creates both opportunity and decisions about whether to hold or sell.

Key Midland Basin Counties

Core Counties

Midland County: Basin namesake, intense development

Martin County: Premium acreage, top operators

Howard County: Spraberry-Wolfcamp sweet spot

Upton County: Southern extension, active drilling

Reagan County: Prolific Wolfcamp wells

Extended Area

Glasscock County: Strong southern production

Dawson County: Northern tier development

Borden County: Emerging horizontal target

Andrews County (East): Basin transition zone

Stacked Pay: Multiple Opportunities

The Midland Basin's greatest asset is its stacked pay potential. Multiple productive formations lie atop one another, each offering drilling targets:

Spraberry Formation

The Spraberry has produced since the 1950s and remains productive today. Traditional vertical wells gave way to horizontal development, unlocking new reserves from this well-understood formation.

Wolfcamp Formation

The Wolfcamp is the primary horizontal target, divided into multiple benches (A, B, C, D). Each bench can be drilled separately, meaning a single mineral tract might see development across multiple Wolfcamp zones over time.

Additional Zones

The Cline Shale, Lower Spraberry, Dean, and other formations add additional potential depending on location. This stacked inventory means development can continue for decades.

Major Midland Basin Operators

The Midland Basin hosts many of the largest and most financially stable operators in the industry:

Diamondback Energy

Pioneer Natural Resources

Concho Resources (ConocoPhillips)

Fasken Oil and Ranch

Endeavor Energy Resources

Occidental Petroleum

Apache Corporation

Chevron

These well-capitalized operators ensure continued development and reliable royalty payments for mineral owners.

Selling Midland Basin Minerals

Midland Basin minerals command premium valuations due to their proven production and development potential. Owners choose to sell for various reasons:

Estate simplification: Easier for heirs

Tax planning: Capital gains treatment

Lump sum needs: Major purchases, retirement

Risk reduction: Commodity price exposure

Diversification: Portfolio rebalancing

Distance: Owners living out of state

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Midland Basin is the eastern sub-basin of the greater Permian Basin in West Texas. It's centered around Midland and includes some of the most prolific oil-producing counties in America, including Midland, Martin, Howard, Upton, and Reagan counties. The basin features multiple stacked pay zones including the Spraberry and Wolfcamp formations.

The Midland Basin is the eastern half of the Permian, while the Delaware Basin lies to the west. Both are highly productive, but the Midland Basin has longer production history and more established infrastructure. The Delaware Basin has seen more recent explosive growth, while the Midland Basin offers proven, consistent production.

Key Midland Basin counties include Midland, Martin, Howard, Upton, Reagan, Glasscock, Dawson, Borden, and Andrews (eastern portion). These counties contain thousands of horizontal wells targeting the Spraberry-Wolfcamp interval, making them highly sought after by mineral buyers.

The Midland Basin features stacked pay with multiple productive zones. The Spraberry formation has been producing since the 1950s. The Wolfcamp (A, B, C, and D benches) is the primary horizontal drilling target today. Some areas also produce from the Cline, Lower Spraberry, and other intervals.

Midland Basin minerals are among the most valuable in the country. The combination of stacked pay zones, established operators, mature infrastructure, and consistent production makes these rights highly desirable. Active drilling and development continue throughout the basin, maintaining strong buyer interest.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice. Mineral rights values vary based on numerous factors. Consult with qualified professionals before making decisions about your mineral rights.

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