Market Report & Owner's Guide
The Permian Basin remains America's most productive oil region. If you own mineral rights in West Texas or New Mexico, understanding the 2026 market landscape is essential for making informed decisions about your assets.
The Permian Basin has transformed the global energy landscape and continues to be the crown jewel of American oil production. For mineral rights owners, this means sustained interest from operators and buyers alike.
Production: Over 5.5 million barrels of oil per day
Rig Count: 300+ active drilling rigs
Pay Zones: 6+ stacked formations
Operators: Major and independent companies
Area: 86,000+ square miles
The Permian Basin's unique geology creates exceptional value for mineral owners:
Multiple producing formations
Decades of remaining inventory
World-class operators
Strong buyer competition
The Permian Basin consists of several distinct geological regions, each with unique characteristics that affect mineral values.
The most active drilling region, featuring thick Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations.
Key Counties:
Reeves, Loving, Ward, Culberson, Pecos (TX); Lea, Eddy (NM)
The historic heart of the Permian with prolific Spraberry and Wolfcamp production.
Key Counties:
Midland, Martin, Howard, Glasscock, Reagan, Upton
Mature production area with established fields and secondary recovery operations.
Key Counties:
Andrews, Ector, Crane, Winkler, Gaines
Reeves County: Delaware Basin hotspot, Wolfcamp focus
Loving County: Highest per-capita oil production in TX
Midland County: Basin namesake, major operator HQs
Martin County: Spraberry Trend leader
Howard County: Multi-zone development active
Andrews County: Long production history
Ector County: Home to Odessa
Crane County: Central Basin Platform
Ward County: Delaware Basin extension
Pecos County: Large acreage, varied activity
One of the Permian Basin's greatest advantages is its stacked pay geology—multiple oil-bearing formations beneath the same surface location. This means your mineral rights could generate royalties from several different wells targeting different zones.
| Formation | Type | Primary Basin |
|---|---|---|
| Wolfcamp A/B/C/D | Oil & Gas | Both |
| Bone Spring | Oil | Delaware |
| Spraberry | Oil | Midland |
| Dean | Oil | Midland |
| Avalon | Oil | Delaware |
| Yeso | Gas | Both |
Multiple formations = multiple development opportunities = potential for ongoing royalty income from different wells over many years.
The Permian Basin attracts the industry's top operators, from integrated majors to large independents. This competition benefits mineral owners through active leasing and drilling programs.
ExxonMobil, Chevron, Occidental, ConocoPhillips
Pioneer, Diamondback, Apache, Devon
Centennial, Parsley, Callon, Laredo
Mewbourne, DoublePoint, various PE-backed
Despite the basin's strength, many mineral owners choose to sell their Permian rights for practical reasons:
Immediate Capital: Convert future income into present cash
Simplify Finances: Eliminate royalty tracking and tax complexity
Diversify Investments: Reduce concentration in a single asset
Estate Planning: Simplify inheritance for heirs
Life Changes: Fund retirement, education, or major purchases
We specialize in Permian Basin acquisitions and understand the unique value of your minerals. Our team provides:
Fair, competitive offers
Fast 30-45 day closings
Professional title review
Transparent process
Get a no-obligation offer from our team of Permian Basin specialists.
Request Your OfferFast response • Competitive offers • 30-45 day closings
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Mineral rights values vary based on specific property characteristics. Consult with qualified professionals before making decisions about your mineral rights. Buckhead Energy is a mineral rights acquisition company and not a licensed appraiser, attorney, or financial advisor.