30,820 wells across 1,834 active operators, with 117 drilling permits filed in the last 24 months.
Refreshed monthly from TX RRC well-header records. Data current as of 2026-05-04.
The operators with the most well counts targeting the Palo Duro Basin formation in Texas:
| # | Operator | Wells in Palo Duro Basin |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dara Operating Company, LLC | 3,365 |
| 2 | R2q Operating | 1,599 |
| 3 | Burk Royalty | 880 |
| 4 | Johnson & Ernst Operating Company | 718 |
| 5 | Quatro Oil And Gas | 592 |
| 6 | S&G Oil | 559 |
| 7 | Bastrop Oil & Gas | 558 |
| 8 | Waggoner Operating,LLC | 442 |
| 9 | Newport Operating | 391 |
| 10 | Stephens & Johnson Operating Company | 386 |
The Texas counties with the most Palo Duro Basin activity:
Wichita, Wilbarger, Hardeman, Foard, Hartley
The most recent 7 drilling permits filed for Palo Duro Basin wells in Texas:
| Permit Date | Well | API | County | Operator | Lateral (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-23 | Bond B 18b | 4248733392 |
Wilbarger | L7 Energy LLC | 1,515 |
| 2025-08-11 | Slc Ramming 95 | 4248546413 |
Wichita | Stone Gregory W | 105 |
| 2025-08-11 | Slc Ramming 74 | 4248544588 |
Wichita | Stone Gregory W | 103 |
| 2025-05-30 | Turner Unit 1 | 4219731807 |
Hardeman | Ampak Oil Company | 368 |
| 2025-04-22 | Sb-1 1 | 4208730262 |
Collingsworth | Enterprise Products Operatingllc | 118 |
| 2024-10-14 | Cardinal 1 | 4219731812 |
Hardeman | Trio Consulting Managementllc | 111 |
| 2024-08-19 | Cathodic Protection 5 | 4248546386 |
Wichita | Atmos Pipeline Texas | 104 |
Wells targeting the Palo Duro Basin that have been spudded but are waiting on completion — near-term production upside:
| Spud Date | Days Waiting | Well | Operator | County | Lateral (ft) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-17 | 16 | Sauder A 9 | R2q Operating | Wichita | — |
| 2026-01-06 | 117 | L.k. Johnson 'A' 9n | Sb Street Operating | Foard | 117 |
| 2025-12-15 | 139 | Pace A 7 | Newport Operating | Wichita | 106 |
| 2025-11-17 | 167 | Sauder A 8 | R2q Operating | Wichita | 108 |
| 2025-11-12 | 172 | Sw Boy'S Ranch 5 | Arrow Oil & Gas | Oldham | 987 |
| 2025-11-05 | 179 | Md 4 | Arrow Oil & Gas | Oldham | 995 |
| 2025-10-17 | 198 | Pace A 6 | Newport Operating | Wichita | 106 |
| 2025-10-10 | 205 | First National CO.-Crenshaw 1 7 | Newport Operating | Wichita | 106 |
The Palo Duro Basin is one of Texas's active oil and gas plays, with 30,820 wells on file across 1,834 distinct operators of record. Operators have filed 117 drilling permits targeting the Palo Duro Basin in the last 24 months — a measure of how active the play is right now versus its historical baseline.
For mineral owners with interests in Wichita, Wilbarger, Hardeman, Foard, Hartley, knowing whether your tract sits within an active Palo Duro Basin footprint is a foundational valuation question. Active formations with consistent permit flow command premium pricing; legacy formations with steady but declining production are valued differently.
Get a free written offer based on your specific tract, operator, and the current Palo Duro Basin activity in your area.
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Formation: Palo Duro Basin
State: Texas
Total wells: 30,820
Active operators: 1,834
Permits 24mo: 117
Last refresh: 2026-05-04