# California Oil & Gas Formations and Plays Directory
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> Every active California oil and gas formation and play, ranked by well count, with the top operators and primary counties for each. Compiled from CalGEM well records, refreshed monthly. CC BY 4.0.

**URL:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/formations-california
**Source:** Buckhead Energy (https://www.buckheadenergy.com/)
**Generated:** 2026-08-16 (heuristic; server-side extraction)

## Answer
Quick answer: The most-targeted oil and gas formations in California are the Monterey-Temblor, San Joaquin Basin, Monterey, Sacramento Basin and Coastal Basins, led by the Monterey-Temblor with 96,601 wells on record. Ranked by well count across 16 tracked formations from California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) well-header records (as of 2026-08-16) and refreshed monthly.

## Dataset
**Name:** California Oil & Gas Formations and Plays Directory

Complete directory of every active oil and gas formation and play in California, with well counts, active operator counts, total drilled lateral footage, recent permit volume, and the top operators and counties for each formation.

**Variables measured:**
- Formation / Play Name
- Well Count
- Active Operators
- Total Lateral Footage (feet)
- Recent Permits (24 Months)
- Top Operators
- Top Counties

## Page Outline
- The California Oil & Gas Formations & Plays Directory
  - About This Data
  - Frequently Asked Questions
  - Know What Formation Underlies Your Minerals?
  - Related Operator Intelligence

## Related Pages
- [California Oil & Gas Industry Snapshot Dashboard](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/california-oil-gas-industry-snapshot)
- [Top California Operators Leaderboard](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/top-operators-california)
- [California Drilling Activity Report (permits, DUCs, spuds)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/california-drilling-activity-report)
- [US Mineral Market Activity Index (all 11 states ranked 0–100)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/us-mineral-market-activity-index)
- [US Mineral & Drilling Activity Index (national rollup)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/us-drilling-activity-index)
- [Texas Industry Snapshot (largest producing state)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/texas-oil-gas-industry-snapshot)
- [Oklahoma Industry Snapshot](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/oklahoma-oil-gas-industry-snapshot)
- [Largest US Operators — National Leaderboard](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/top-operators-us)
- [Browse the Full Operator Directory](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators)
- [Live Oil & Gas Prices (WTI + Henry Hub)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/oil-gas-prices)
- [Sell Your California Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell)
- [How to Sell Mineral Rights (Step-by-Step)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/2026/how-to-sell-mineral-rights)
- [Oil & Gas Market Data Hub (all dated datasets)](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/oil-gas-market-data)

## About Buckhead Energy
Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer of oil & gas mineral rights and royalty interests across 33 U.S. states. We provide free written offers within 24-48 hours, with closings in 30-45 days. Family-owned and operated since 2007, A+ BBB rated.

**Sell mineral rights:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell
**Operator directory:** https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators