# SM Energy Company Drilling Permits in Texas and Oklahoma

## TL;DR

SM Energy Company has filed 86 oil and gas drilling permits across Texas and Oklahoma over the past 24 months, with the most recent permit dated May 27, 2026. The operator is concentrating drilling activity in Webb County, TX (56 permits) and targeting the Gulf Coast Basin and Permian Basin formations. Data is sourced from state regulator filings and refreshed monthly to provide mineral owners with current insights into where the operator is deploying capital.

## Key Takeaways

- **SM Energy filed 86 drilling permits** in Texas and Oklahoma between June 2024 and May 2026, indicating active exploration and development.
- **Webb County, TX dominates permit activity** with 56 permits (65% of total), followed by Upton County with 17 permits and Howard County with 8 permits.
- **Gulf Coast Basin (LA-TX) leads formation targets** with 49 permits (57%), while the Permian Basin accounts for 28 permits (33%).
- **Lateral lengths vary significantly** from short 357-foot horizontals to extended 21,283-foot laterals, reflecting diverse completion strategies.
- **Permit data serves as a leading indicator** of where operators are deploying capital before wells enter production.
- **Monthly data refreshes** from the Texas Railroad Commission and Oklahoma Corporation Commission ensure mineral owners have current drilling intelligence.
- **Mineral owners near permitted wells** may see future royalty income or enhanced property valuations as permits transition to producing wells.

## Page Highlights

**Recent Drilling Activity Table**: Lists all 86 permits chronologically with well names, API numbers, counties, states, formations, and lateral lengths. Most recent permits dated May 2026 include the Briscoe B pad in Webb County with three horizontal wells.

**Geographic Concentration**: Webb County, TX accounts for two-thirds of all permits, followed by Upton County (17 permits) and Howard County (8 permits). Minor activity appears in Dimmit, Martin, Crane, and Dawson counties.

**Formation Targets**: Gulf Coast Basin formations represent 57% of permits (49 wells), primarily in Webb and Dimmit counties. Permian Basin permits (28 wells) concentrate in Upton, Howard, Martin, Crane, and Dawson counties.

**Completion Design Variability**: Lateral lengths range from 357 feet to 21,283 feet, with numerous wells over 15,000 feet. Some permits show missing lateral data, suggesting early-stage planning or confidential filings.

**Data Methodology**: Permits sourced from Texas Railroad Commission and Oklahoma Corporation Commission filings, refreshed monthly. Current data as of June 1, 2026, covering a 24-month lookback period.

**Mineral Owner Implications**: Page emphasizes that permits represent planned drilling before production begins, offering mineral owners advance notice of potential future royalty income or sale opportunities.

## Dataset Variables

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## Related Topics

- [SM Energy Company Profile](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators/sm-energy-company) — Full operator overview
- [Full Operator Directory](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/operators) — Browse all operators tracked
- [Sell Your Mineral Rights](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/sell) — Valuation and acquisition information
- [Mineral Rights Glossary](https://www.buckheadenergy.com/glossary) — Industry terminology reference

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