Dean Formation in Texas: Operators, Permits & Activity 2026

Formation data coverage

Formation summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. This formation/play summary uses recorded well and operator counts and permit dates in the preceding 24 months at summary refresh. Operator counts do not verify current operations. Summary counts and the separately refreshed permit and DUC lists may have different coverage. This is a capped directory of stored records, not a complete statewide count. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. At most 50 displayed permit records match the formation name, ordered by permit date. This operator-linked list can differ from the summary permit count; a permit is not proof of drilling or production. This is a capped directory of stored records, not a complete statewide count. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. At most 30 displayed records match the formation name, ordered by spud date. A spud date with no reported first production is a DUC proxy, not verified completion status. Elapsed days are computed at source refresh. This is a capped directory of stored records, not a complete statewide count.

Formation summary source

Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. This formation/play summary uses recorded well and operator counts and permit dates in the preceding 24 months at summary refresh. Operator counts do not verify current operations. Summary counts and the separately refreshed permit and DUC lists may have different coverage. This is a capped directory of stored records, not a complete statewide count.

Compiled from Texas Railroad Commission records through a commercial well-data aggregator. Scheduled refreshes do not guarantee that new regulator filings are available. Use the source records to check a specific well.

Permit-list source

No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. At most 50 displayed permit records match the formation name, ordered by permit date. This operator-linked list can differ from the summary permit count; a permit is not proof of drilling or production. This is a capped directory of stored records, not a complete statewide count.

DUC-list source

No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. At most 30 displayed records match the formation name, ordered by spud date. A spud date with no reported first production is a DUC proxy, not verified completion status. Elapsed days are computed at source refresh. This is a capped directory of stored records, not a complete statewide count.

Total Wells

2,817

Recorded Operators

250

Total Lateral

1,534 miles

Permits (24mo)

Top Operators in the Dean (Texas)

The operators with the most well counts targeting the Dean formation in Texas:

#	Operator	Wells in Dean
1	Diamondback Energy	658
2	Ovintiv USA INC	196
3	Apache	180
4	Cog Operating	144
5	Pioneer Natural Resources	142
6	Xto Energy	77
7	Crescent Energy Operating, LLC	55
8	Oxy	55
9	New Height Energy LLC	54
10	Sm Energy Company	53

Primary Texas Counties for the Dean

The Texas counties with the most Dean activity:

Martin, Reagan, Dawson, Howard, Midland

About the Dean Formation in Texas

The Dean is a formation/play group recorded in Texas, with 2,817 wells on file across 250 distinct operators of record. Operators have filed 57 drilling permits targeting the Dean in the 24-month window at summary refresh. These are stored records, not a live measure of drilling.

Recorded formation activity provides regional context. It does not establish ownership, future production, royalty payments or a value for an individual tract. Consult qualified professionals about your specific interest.

Browse listed Texas oil & gas formations & plays · Download the Texas formations dataset (CSV)

Frequently Asked Questions

How many wells target the Dean formation in Texas?

2,817 wells target the Dean in Texas, worked by 250 recorded operators, per TX RRC well-header records. Summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. The lists have separate coverage limits.

Who are the top operators in the Dean in Texas?

By well count, the operators with the most Dean wells on record in Texas are Diamondback Energy, Ovintiv USA Inc., Apache, COG Operating and Pioneer Natural Resources. The full ranking is in the table on this page. Summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. The lists have separate coverage limits.

How active is the Dean formation right now?

Operators filed 57 drilling permits targeting the Dean in the 24-month window at source refresh, per TX RRC records. Summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. The lists have separate coverage limits.

Is there active drilling in the Dean in Texas?

Operators filed 57 new drilling permits targeting the Dean in Texas in the 24-month window at source refresh. New permits and spuds record reported activity stages; they do not establish ongoing drilling, per TX RRC records. Summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. The lists have separate coverage limits.

What is the current Dean activity in Texas?

Dean activity in Texas includes 2,817 wells on record and 250 recorded operators, led by Diamondback Energy, Ovintiv USA Inc., Apache, COG Operating and Pioneer Natural Resources, with 57 drilling permits filed in the 24-month window at source refresh — from Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) well-header records. Summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. The lists have separate coverage limits.

Which Texas counties have the most Dean activity?

The primary counties recorded for Dean in Texas are Martin, Reagan, Dawson, Howard, Midland. Summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. The lists have separate coverage limits.

How do I find out what my Dean mineral rights are worth?

Value depends on your net mineral acres or royalty decimal, the operator, the remaining drilling locations, and current oil and gas prices. This page is informational only, not a valuation. Summary: Stored source refresh: 2026-09-16. Permit list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. DUC list: No stored records are available in this view; this does not establish zero activity. The lists have separate coverage limits.