Quick answer — Who are the largest operators in the Michigan Basin?
The Michigan Basin is a circular intracratonic basin producing from the Antrim shale, Niagaran reefs, and deep gas-storage reservoirs across the Lower Peninsula.
The Michigan Basin has approximately 79,423 wells operated by 4,944 companies. Below are the largest operators by well count. Data as of 2026-11-03.
| # | Operator | Wells | Have produced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riverside Energy Michigan | 6,980 | 6,489 |
| 2 | Shell Oil Company | 1,944 | 381 |
| 3 | Mid Michigan Gas Storage Company | 1,558 | 158 |
| 4 | Consumers Energy Company | 1,455 | 12 |
| 5 | V C P Michigan LLC | 1,385 | 1,280 |
| 6 | Muskegon Operating Company LLC | 1,337 | 1,259 |
| 7 | Carter Oil Company | 1,313 | 0 |
| 8 | Presque Isle County Road Commission | 1,230 | 0 |
| 9 | Oryx Energy Company | 1,196 | 187 |
| 10 | Terra Energy | 1,180 | 23 |
| 11 | D T E Gas Company | 1,068 | 18 |
| 12 | Lambda Energy Resources LLC | 1,046 | 933 |
| 13 | Muskegon Development Company | 978 | 303 |
| 14 | Miller Energy | 977 | 701 |
| 15 | Jordan Development | 727 | 450 |
| 16 | Union Oil Co. Of California | 661 | 32 |
| 17 | Miller Brothers | 654 | 43 |
| 18 | Pure Oil Company | 642 | — |
| 19 | Marathon Oil Company | 625 | 261 |
| 20 | Consolidated Oil & Gas | 618 | 0 |
| 21 | Belden And Blake Corp. Dba Ward Lake Energy | 618 | 110 |
| 22 | Brazos Oil And Gas Company | 584 | — |
| 23 | Savoy Energy | 549 | 156 |
| 24 | Bpx Operating Company | 548 | 144 |
| 25 | Ohio Oil Company | 547 | — |
The largest operators in the Michigan Basin by well count in this snapshot are Riverside Energy Michigan (6,980 wells), Shell Oil Company (1,944 wells), Mid Michigan Gas Storage Company (1,558 wells), Consumers Energy Company (1,455 wells), V C P Michigan LLC (1,385 wells). The snapshot includes 4,944 operators and is dated 2026-11-03.
No. “Have produced” counts wells with a recorded first-production date. It does not confirm current production or current royalty payments. The “Wells” column counts well records associated with each operator in this basin snapshot.
Use the linked operator profiles for related information. The inquiry link below provides a way to contact Buckhead about your interest.
Compare operators head-to-head →
Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests under wells operated by any of these companies. Buckhead provides a free written offer. Our offer comes at no cost and no obligation. Because Buckhead is the buyer (not a broker or intermediary), there is no broker commission taken out of your sale.
Get a Free OfferLargest US Oil & Gas Operators — the national leaderboard →
Well counts come from Buckhead Energy analysis of public oil and gas data (data as of 2026-11-03); reflect wells where each company is the current operator of record in the Michigan Basin. Informational only.
Get a written offer from a direct buyer with 20 years in business.
Sell My Mineral Rights