{
  "name": "Kansas Oil & Gas Formations and Plays, Ranked by Well Count",
  "publisher": "Buckhead Energy",
  "url": "https://www.buckheadenergy.com/formations-kansas",
  "license": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "doi": "https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21442884",
  "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24",
  "count": 11,
  "formations": [
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "central-kansas-uplift",
      "formationName": "Central Kansas Uplift",
      "wellCount": 55593,
      "activeOperators": 2361,
      "totalLateralFt": "216941",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 283,
      "primaryCounties": "BARTON, ELLIS, RUSSELL, STAFFORD, RICE",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "MURFIN DRILLING",
          "slug": "murfin-drilling-company-inc",
          "wells": 1864
        },
        {
          "name": "MAI OIL OPERATIONS",
          "slug": "mai-oil-operations",
          "wells": 1295
        },
        {
          "name": "AMERICAN WARRIOR",
          "slug": "american-warrior",
          "wells": 1038
        },
        {
          "name": "VESS OIL",
          "slug": "vess-oil-corporation",
          "wells": 936
        },
        {
          "name": "FARMER JOHN O",
          "slug": "farmer-john-o",
          "wells": 919
        },
        {
          "name": "BEREXCO",
          "slug": "berexco-llc",
          "wells": 898
        },
        {
          "name": "RITCHIE EXPLORATION",
          "slug": "ritchie-exploration",
          "wells": 890
        },
        {
          "name": "PATTERSON ENERGY",
          "slug": "patterson-energy-corporation",
          "wells": 887
        },
        {
          "name": "F G HOLL COMPANY",
          "slug": "f-g-holl-company",
          "wells": 705
        },
        {
          "name": "TRANS PACIFIC OIL",
          "slug": "trans-pacific-oil",
          "wells": 702
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "anadarko-basin",
      "formationName": "Anadarko Basin",
      "wellCount": 52841,
      "activeOperators": 1772,
      "totalLateralFt": "961694",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 315,
      "primaryCounties": "NESS, STEVENS, FINNEY, MORTON, HASKELL",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "EIGER OPERATING COMPANY, LLC",
          "slug": "eiger-operating-company-llc",
          "wells": 6245
        },
        {
          "name": "SCOUT ENERGY MANAGEMENT",
          "slug": "scout-energy-management-llc",
          "wells": 4049
        },
        {
          "name": "AMERICAN WARRIOR",
          "slug": "american-warrior",
          "wells": 1896
        },
        {
          "name": "ANADARKO PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "anadarko-petroleum",
          "wells": 1453
        },
        {
          "name": "OXY",
          "slug": "oxy",
          "wells": 1400
        },
        {
          "name": "EDISON OPERATING COMPANY",
          "slug": "edison-operating-company",
          "wells": 934
        },
        {
          "name": "BEREXCO",
          "slug": "berexco-llc",
          "wells": 914
        },
        {
          "name": "MERIT ENERGY COMPANY",
          "slug": "merit-energy-company",
          "wells": 871
        },
        {
          "name": "RITCHIE EXPLORATION",
          "slug": "ritchie-exploration",
          "wells": 859
        },
        {
          "name": "EXXON MOBIL",
          "slug": "exxon-mobil-corporation",
          "wells": 768
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "excello-mulky",
      "formationName": "Excello-Mulky",
      "wellCount": 52600,
      "activeOperators": 1935,
      "totalLateralFt": "58974",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "MONTGOMERY, ALLEN, NEOSHO, WILSON, CHAUTAUQUA",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "RIVER ROCK OPERATING",
          "slug": "river-rock-operating",
          "wells": 2374
        },
        {
          "name": "REDBUD OIL & GAS11/OFB",
          "slug": "redbud-oil-gas11ofb",
          "wells": 2094
        },
        {
          "name": "COLT ENERGY",
          "slug": "colt-energy",
          "wells": 1879
        },
        {
          "name": "POSTROCK MIDCONTINENT PRODUCTION",
          "slug": "postrock-midcontinent-production",
          "wells": 949
        },
        {
          "name": "KANSAS ENERGY COMPANY",
          "slug": "kansas-energy-company",
          "wells": 843
        },
        {
          "name": "A & A WELL SERVICE",
          "slug": "a-a-well-service",
          "wells": 841
        },
        {
          "name": "RUNNING FOXES PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "running-foxes-petroleum",
          "wells": 797
        },
        {
          "name": "DART CHEROKEE BASIN OPERATING",
          "slug": "dart-cherokee-basin-operating",
          "wells": 763
        },
        {
          "name": "CHEROKEE WELLS",
          "slug": "cherokee-wells",
          "wells": 734
        },
        {
          "name": "JV OIL",
          "slug": "jv-oil",
          "wells": 652
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "forest-city-basin",
      "formationName": "Forest City Basin",
      "wellCount": 43057,
      "activeOperators": 1325,
      "totalLateralFt": "30284",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 468,
      "primaryCounties": "MIAMI, ANDERSON, FRANKLIN, LINN, COFFEY",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "RJ ENERGY",
          "slug": "rj-energy",
          "wells": 4612
        },
        {
          "name": "BOBCAT OILFIELD SERVICE",
          "slug": "bobcat-oilfield-service",
          "wells": 1696
        },
        {
          "name": "COLT ENERGY",
          "slug": "colt-energy",
          "wells": 1118
        },
        {
          "name": "BG5",
          "slug": "bg5",
          "wells": 1083
        },
        {
          "name": "JTC OIL",
          "slug": "jtc-oil",
          "wells": 1003
        },
        {
          "name": "BIRK PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "birk-petroleum",
          "wells": 1001
        },
        {
          "name": "Southern Community",
          "slug": "southern-community",
          "wells": 978
        },
        {
          "name": "TOWN OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "town-oil-company",
          "wells": 915
        },
        {
          "name": "KANSAS RESOURCE EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT",
          "slug": "kansas-resource-exploration-development",
          "wells": 892
        },
        {
          "name": "ALTAVISTA ENERGY",
          "slug": "altavista-energy",
          "wells": 889
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "sedgwick-basin",
      "formationName": "Sedgwick Basin",
      "wellCount": 21077,
      "activeOperators": 1559,
      "totalLateralFt": "1704604",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 77,
      "primaryCounties": "BARBER, SUMNER, MC PHERSON, KINGMAN, SEDGWICK",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "R & B OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "r-b-oil-gas",
          "wells": 451
        },
        {
          "name": "SANDRIDGE EXPLORATION & PRODUCTION",
          "slug": "sandridge-exploration-production",
          "wells": 350
        },
        {
          "name": "PICKRELL DRILLING COMPANY",
          "slug": "pickrell-drilling-company",
          "wells": 341
        },
        {
          "name": "HERMAN L LOEB",
          "slug": "herman-l-loeb",
          "wells": 335
        },
        {
          "name": "VAL ENERGY",
          "slug": "val-energy",
          "wells": 317
        },
        {
          "name": "BCEMACH III LLC",
          "slug": "bcemach-iii-llc",
          "wells": 299
        },
        {
          "name": "CHIEFTAIN OIL",
          "slug": "chieftain-oil",
          "wells": 284
        },
        {
          "name": "BEAR PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "bear-petroleum",
          "wells": 278
        },
        {
          "name": "ATLAS OPERATING",
          "slug": "atlas-operating-llc",
          "wells": 276
        },
        {
          "name": "TREK AEC",
          "slug": "trek-aec",
          "wells": 265
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "cherokee-basin",
      "formationName": "Cherokee Basin",
      "wellCount": 17486,
      "activeOperators": 974,
      "totalLateralFt": "28526",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 545,
      "primaryCounties": "GREENWOOD, WOODSON, ALLEN, CHAUTAUQUA, BOURBON",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "LAYMON OIL II",
          "slug": "laymon-oil-ii",
          "wells": 1141
        },
        {
          "name": "RJ ENERGY",
          "slug": "rj-energy",
          "wells": 922
        },
        {
          "name": "COLT ENERGY",
          "slug": "colt-energy",
          "wells": 823
        },
        {
          "name": "TRIMBLE & MACLASKEY OIL",
          "slug": "trimble-maclaskey-oil",
          "wells": 594
        },
        {
          "name": "OWENS PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "owens-petroleum",
          "wells": 455
        },
        {
          "name": "WARHORSE PETROLEUM INC",
          "slug": "warhorse-petroleum-inc",
          "wells": 357
        },
        {
          "name": "ALTAVISTA ENERGY",
          "slug": "altavista-energy",
          "wells": 323
        },
        {
          "name": "325 ENERGY OPERATIONS, LLC",
          "slug": "325-energy-operations-llc",
          "wells": 276
        },
        {
          "name": "JACKSON BROTHERS",
          "slug": "jackson-brothers",
          "wells": 259
        },
        {
          "name": "TREMO",
          "slug": "tremo",
          "wells": 251
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "nemaha-anticline",
      "formationName": "Nemaha Anticline",
      "wellCount": 12278,
      "activeOperators": 889,
      "totalLateralFt": "54505",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 53,
      "primaryCounties": "BUTLER, COWLEY, CHASE, MORRIS, NEMAHA",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "RANGE OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "range-oil-company",
          "wells": 777
        },
        {
          "name": "VESS OIL",
          "slug": "vess-oil-corporation",
          "wells": 768
        },
        {
          "name": "OXY",
          "slug": "oxy",
          "wells": 584
        },
        {
          "name": "ANSTINE & MUSGROVE",
          "slug": "anstine-musgrove",
          "wells": 234
        },
        {
          "name": "CROWN ENERGY COMPANY",
          "slug": "crown-energy-company",
          "wells": 189
        },
        {
          "name": "BENSON MINERAL GROUP",
          "slug": "benson-mineral-group",
          "wells": 188
        },
        {
          "name": "AZTEC OIL OPERATING LLC",
          "slug": "aztec-oil-operating-llc",
          "wells": 168
        },
        {
          "name": "BEAR PETROLEUM",
          "slug": "bear-petroleum",
          "wells": 165
        },
        {
          "name": "MWK PETROLEUM COMPANY",
          "slug": "mwk-petroleum-company",
          "wells": 157
        },
        {
          "name": "PHILLIPS PETROLEUM COMPANY",
          "slug": "phillips-petroleum-company",
          "wells": 156
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "las-animas-arch",
      "formationName": "Las Animas Arch",
      "wellCount": 2276,
      "activeOperators": 292,
      "totalLateralFt": "0",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 110,
      "primaryCounties": "RAWLINS, THOMAS, CHEYENNE, SHERMAN, SHERIDAN",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "MURFIN DRILLING",
          "slug": "murfin-drilling-company-inc",
          "wells": 409
        },
        {
          "name": "GORE OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "gore-oil-company",
          "wells": 88
        },
        {
          "name": "DOWNINGNELSON OIL",
          "slug": "downingnelson-oil",
          "wells": 64
        },
        {
          "name": "BEREXCO",
          "slug": "berexco-llc",
          "wells": 53
        },
        {
          "name": "RITCHIE EXPLORATION",
          "slug": "ritchie-exploration",
          "wells": 41
        },
        {
          "name": "RAYMOND OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "raymond-oil-company",
          "wells": 38
        },
        {
          "name": "CARMEN SCHMITT",
          "slug": "carmen-schmitt",
          "wells": 38
        },
        {
          "name": "BRITO OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "brito-oil-company",
          "wells": 35
        },
        {
          "name": "GRAND MESA OPERATING COMPANY",
          "slug": "grand-mesa-operating-company",
          "wells": 35
        },
        {
          "name": "VAL ENERGY",
          "slug": "val-energy",
          "wells": 32
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "niobrara-east",
      "formationName": "Niobrara East",
      "wellCount": 2242,
      "activeOperators": 170,
      "totalLateralFt": "82543",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "CHEYENNE, SHERMAN, RAWLINS, THOMAS, SHERIDAN",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "OWN RESOURCES OPERATING",
          "slug": "own-resources-operating",
          "wells": 505
        },
        {
          "name": "MURFIN DRILLING",
          "slug": "murfin-drilling-company-inc",
          "wells": 238
        },
        {
          "name": "SMITH OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "smith-oil-gas",
          "wells": 191
        },
        {
          "name": "ROSEWOOD RESOURCES",
          "slug": "rosewood-resources-inc",
          "wells": 161
        },
        {
          "name": "LOBO PRODUCTION",
          "slug": "lobo-production",
          "wells": 159
        },
        {
          "name": "PDC ENERGY",
          "slug": "pdc-energy",
          "wells": 133
        },
        {
          "name": "NOBLE ENERGY",
          "slug": "noble-energy-inc",
          "wells": 118
        },
        {
          "name": "PRIORITY OIL & GAS",
          "slug": "priority-oil-gas",
          "wells": 41
        },
        {
          "name": "ROCKIN G ENERGY",
          "slug": "rockin-g-energy",
          "wells": 35
        },
        {
          "name": "FOUNDATION ENERGY MANAGEMENT",
          "slug": "foundation-energy-management-llc",
          "wells": 35
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "salina-basin",
      "formationName": "Salina Basin",
      "wellCount": 1471,
      "activeOperators": 258,
      "totalLateralFt": "10043",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 18,
      "primaryCounties": "SALINE, OSBORNE, DICKINSON, CLAY, LINCOLN",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "NATURAL GAS PIPELINE CO OF AMERICA",
          "slug": "natural-gas-pipeline-co-of-america",
          "wells": 104
        },
        {
          "name": "BRUCE OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "bruce-oil-company",
          "wells": 71
        },
        {
          "name": "CASEBEER",
          "slug": "casebeer",
          "wells": 50
        },
        {
          "name": "NORTHERN NATURAL GAS COMPANY",
          "slug": "northern-natural-gas-co",
          "wells": 49
        },
        {
          "name": "SHIELDS OIL PRODUCERS",
          "slug": "shields-oil-producers",
          "wells": 47
        },
        {
          "name": "SCOTTS PRODUCTION",
          "slug": "scotts-production",
          "wells": 47
        },
        {
          "name": "BRUNGARDT OIL AND LEASING",
          "slug": "brungardt-oil-and-leasing",
          "wells": 46
        },
        {
          "name": "TOM BROWN",
          "slug": "tom-brown",
          "wells": 41
        },
        {
          "name": "RANGE OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": "range-oil-company",
          "wells": 37
        },
        {
          "name": "BEREXCO",
          "slug": "berexco-llc",
          "wells": 34
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    },
    {
      "state": "KS",
      "formationSlug": "chautauqua-platform",
      "formationName": "Chautauqua Platform",
      "wellCount": 26,
      "activeOperators": 13,
      "totalLateralFt": "0",
      "recentPermits24Mo": 0,
      "primaryCounties": "CHAUTAUQUA, COWLEY, LABETTE, MONTGOMERY",
      "topOperators": [
        {
          "name": "KANSAS ENERGY COMPANY",
          "slug": "kansas-energy-company",
          "wells": 12
        },
        {
          "name": "MC C OIL COMPANY",
          "slug": null,
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "ROADRUNNER ENERGY",
          "slug": "roadrunner-energy",
          "wells": 2
        },
        {
          "name": "B & J DRILLING COMPANY",
          "slug": "b-j-drilling-company",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "WALLS CHARLES",
          "slug": "walls-charles",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "SIERRA DRILLING COMPANY",
          "slug": "sierra-drilling-company",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "HAMP OIL",
          "slug": "hamp-oil",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "YALE OIL ASSOCIATION",
          "slug": "yale-oil-association",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "DORADO GAS RESOURCES",
          "slug": "dorado-gas-resources",
          "wells": 1
        },
        {
          "name": "MYERS DRILLING COMPANY",
          "slug": "myers-drilling-company",
          "wells": 1
        }
      ],
      "dataAsOf": "2026-08-24"
    }
  ]
}