Quick answer
The Permian Basin is the largest oil-producing basin in the United States, spanning 66 counties in southeastern New Mexico and western Texas, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The Permian Basin consists of several distinct geological regions, each with unique characteristics that affect mineral values.
Thick Wolfcamp and Bone Spring formations.
Key Counties:
Reeves, Loving, Ward, Culberson, Pecos (TX); Lea, Eddy (NM)
Spraberry and Wolfcamp production.
Key Counties:
Midland, Martin, Howard, Glasscock, Reagan, Upton
Mature production area with established fields and secondary recovery operations.
Key Counties:
Andrews, Ector, Crane, Winkler, Gaines
Reeves County: Delaware Basin hotspot, Wolfcamp focus
Loving County: Delaware Basin
Midland County: Basin namesake, major operator HQs
Martin County: Midland Basin, Spraberry Trend
Howard County: Multi-zone development active
Andrews County: Long production history
Ector County: Home to Odessa
Crane County: Central Basin Platform
Ward County: Delaware Basin extension
Pecos County: Large acreage, varied activity
The Permian Basin has stacked pay geology—multiple oil-bearing formations beneath the same surface location. This means your mineral rights could generate royalties from several different wells targeting different zones.
| Formation | Type | Primary Basin |
|---|---|---|
| Wolfcamp A/B/C/D | Oil & Gas | Both |
| Bone Spring | Oil | Delaware |
| Spraberry | Oil | Midland |
| Dean | Oil | Midland |
| Avalon | Oil | Delaware |
| Yeso | Gas | Both |
Multiple formations = multiple development opportunities = potential for ongoing royalty income from different wells over many years.
Permian Basin operators range from integrated majors to large independents and private companies.
ExxonMobil, Chevron, Occidental, ConocoPhillips
Pioneer, Diamondback, Apache, Devon
Centennial, Parsley, Callon, Laredo
Mewbourne, DoublePoint, various PE-backed
Despite the basin's strength, many mineral owners choose to sell their Permian rights for practical reasons:
Immediate Capital: Convert future income into present cash
Simplify Finances: Eliminate royalty tracking and tax complexity
Diversify Investments: Reduce concentration in a single asset
Estate Planning: Simplify inheritance for heirs
Life Changes: Fund retirement, education, or major purchases
An active buyer of Permian Basin mineral rights.
Buckhead makes a fair, competitive offer to purchase mineral and royalty interests directly from owners.
Buckhead provides a free written offer.
Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance.
Request a free written offer.
Request Your OfferBuckhead provides a free written offer. Closings typically take 30–45 days, subject to title review and clearance.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Mineral rights values vary based on specific property characteristics. Consult with qualified professionals before making decisions about your mineral rights. Buckhead Energy is a mineral rights acquisition company and not a licensed appraiser, attorney, or financial advisor.
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Sell My Mineral RightsGuides to mature and enhanced-recovery field units in the Texas Permian Basin:
Salt Creek Field Unit (Kent Co., OXY)
Bennett Ranch Unit (Yoakum Co., OXY)
Seminole San Andres Unit (Gaines Co., OXY)
Waddell TR A Unit (Crane Co., Blackbeard)
West Sundown Unit (Hockley Co., OXY)
Cedar Lake Unit (Gaines Co., OXY)
Robertson (Clearfork) Unit (Gaines Co., Hilcorp)
Southeast Levelland Unit (Hockley Co., OXY)
Wasson ODC Unit (D11) (Yoakum Co., OXY)
North Robertson Unit (Gaines Co., BCEMACH III)
Jo-Mill Unit (Borden Co., Jo Mill Oil)
South Cross Unit (Crockett Co., OXY)
Waddell, W. N., Etal Unit (Crane Co., Blackbeard)
Linker (Lower Clearfork) Unit (Hockley Co., Basin Oil & Gas)
Dollarhide Unit (Andrews Co., Scout Energy)
Goldsmith-Landreth (Deep) Unit (Ector Co., OXY)
Wasson ODC Unit (D8A) (Yoakum Co., OXY)
Slaughter Consolidated Unit (Hockley Co., OXY)
Who operates the most wells in the Permian Basin? See the top operators in the Permian Basin by well count → — a monthly-updated leaderboard — Buckhead Energy analysis of public oil and gas data.
Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests across all 50 states and has completed acquisitions in 33 states. Buckhead Energy is a direct buyer, not a broker — we purchase mineral and royalty interests with our own capital. Buckhead Energy has been buying mineral and royalty interests since 2006. Buckhead Energy holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.
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