Who are the largest operators in the San Joaquin Basin?

The largest operators in the San Joaquin Basin by well count are Aera Energy (53,524 wells), Chevron (50,707 wells), California Resources Production (10,867 wells), Sentinel Peak Resources Ca (8,463 wells), Berry Petroleum Company (8,381 wells), out of 3,179 operators total.

How many oil & gas wells are in the San Joaquin Basin?

There are approximately 172,512 oil and gas wells operated across the San Joaquin Basin, per state regulator records compiled by Buckhead Energy (as of 2026-06-23).

Can I sell mineral rights in the San Joaquin Basin?

Yes. Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests in the San Joaquin Basin directly — a free written offer, no broker commissions, and a 7-14 day close.

Top Operators in the San Joaquin Basin by Well Count

California's San Joaquin Basin is the state's most productive oil region, home to giant heavy-oil and diatomite fields across Kern County.

The San Joaquin Basin has approximately 172,512 wells operated by 3,179 companies. Below are the largest operators by well count. Data as of 2026-06-23.

#	Operator	Wells	Producing
1	Aera Energy	53,524	36,495
2	Chevron	50,707	34,055
3	California Resources Production	10,867	6,202
4	Sentinel Peak Resources Ca	8,463	6,110
5	Berry Petroleum Company	8,381	6,283
6	California Resources Elk Hills LLC	7,561	6,760
7	E & B Natural Resources Management	3,213	2,037
8	Crimson Resource Management	2,198	1,434
9	Holmes Western Oil	1,406	979
10	Macpherson Oil Company	1,238	873
11	Shell Oil Company	1,141	73
12	Mobil Oil	793	69
13	Arco Western Energy	594	68
14	San Joaquin Facilities Management	586	445
15	Bellaire Oil Company	536	474
16	Hunter Edison Oil Development LTD	525	509
17	Naftex Operating Company	440	334
18	Hathaway	431	311
19	Kern River Holdings Ii LLC	410	322
20	Trc Operating Company INC	312	295
21	Union Oil Company Of California	298	11
22	Petrolud	291	207
23	Texaco Producing	287	2
24	Sequoia Exploration	273	230
25	Phillips Petroleum Company	252	15

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Own Mineral Rights in the San Joaquin Basin?

Buckhead Energy buys mineral and royalty interests under wells operated by any of these companies — a free, no-obligation written offer based on your specific tract, operator, and decimal interest. No broker commissions; closings in 7–14 days.

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Operator leaderboards by basin

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Anadarko Basin

Powder River Basin

Denver-Julesburg (DJ) Basin

Williston Basin (Bakken)

Illinois Basin

Arkla Basin (Haynesville)

East Texas Basin

Michigan Basin

Bend Arch / Fort Worth Basin

Well counts compiled by Buckhead Energy from state oil & gas regulator records (data as of 2026-06-23); reflect wells where each company is the current operator of record in the San Joaquin Basin. Informational only.