Gulf Coast Basin 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

8,473

Recorded Operators

411

Total Lateral

2,246 miles

Permits (24mo)

Top Operators in the Gulf Coast Basin (Texas)

The operators with the most well counts targeting the Gulf Coast Basin formation in Texas:

#	Operator	Wells in Gulf Coast Basin
1	Apache	489
2	Mcmoran Oil & Gas	307
3	White Fleet Operating LLC	285
4	Gom Shelf	242
5	Fieldwood Energy	230
6	W & T Offshore	174
7	Exxon Mobil	169
8	Black Elk Energy Offshore Operations	151
9	Talos Energy Offshore	150
10	Sabine Oil & Gas	145

Primary Texas Counties for the Gulf Coast Basin

The Texas counties with the most Gulf Coast Basin activity:

High Island South, High Island East & South, High Island Large Block, Matagorda Island Large Block, Galveston Large Block

About the Gulf Coast Basin Formation in Texas

The Gulf Coast Basin is a formation/play group recorded in Texas, with 8,473 wells on file across 411 distinct operators of record. Operators have filed 11 drilling permits targeting the Gulf Coast Basin 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 Gulf Coast Basin formation in Texas?

8,473 wells target the Gulf Coast Basin in Texas, worked by 411 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 Gulf Coast Basin in Texas?

By well count, the operators with the most Gulf Coast Basin wells on record in Texas are Apache, McMoran Oil & Gas, White Fleet Operating LLC, Gom Shelf and Fieldwood Energy. 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 Gulf Coast Basin formation right now?

Operators filed 11 drilling permits targeting the Gulf Coast Basin 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 Gulf Coast Basin in Texas?

Operators filed 11 new drilling permits targeting the Gulf Coast Basin 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 Gulf Coast Basin activity in Texas?

Gulf Coast Basin activity in Texas includes 8,473 wells on record and 411 recorded operators, led by Apache, McMoran Oil & Gas, White Fleet Operating LLC, Gom Shelf and Fieldwood Energy, with 11 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 Gulf Coast Basin activity?

The primary counties recorded for Gulf Coast Basin in Texas are High Island South, High Island East & South, High Island Large Block, Matagorda Island Large Block, Galveston Large Block. 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 Gulf Coast Basin 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.