Howard County, Texas

Howard County drilling permits: what the state recorded

Name: Drilling permits, completions and first production in Howard County, Texas, last twelve months
Creator: Railroad Commission of Texas
License: https://royaltyclerk.com/terms#data-license

163drilling permits
106completions
23first-production reports
in the last twelve months

Wells by coordinates

Oil wells and drilling locations in Howard County

Map of Howard County, Texas, with 11,199 oil and gas wells and 323 recent drilling locations as dots. — Drilling locations323Permits issued in the last two years
Producing wells7,392On a lease reporting production now
Not producing1,861Shut in, inactive or no lease on record
Plugged1,946The state's wellbore record says plugged
Sources: Railroad Commission of Texas well layers and permit files, US Census Bureau county outline, town points from GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), base map from USGS The National Map. A dot is a surface location; a horizontal well runs a mile or more from it.
See the whole Texas well map

11,199 wells with a location on the state's map and 323 drilling locations permitted in the last 24 months, each where the Railroad Commission puts it.

163 drilling permits, 106 completions and 23 first-production reports in the last twelve months. Follow the county or one abstract and get one email a week when something new is recorded.

A permit is not a well.

Howard County is one of the 61 counties of the Permian Basin

Watch Howard County Well map

Wells near each town in Howard County

Big Spring2,879 wells

Wells within 10 miles of each town, on either side of the county line.

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You may show this map on any site, unchanged. Keep the credit line and its link to Royalty Clerk under the map. The picture updates by itself as the state records new wells and permits.

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<a href="https://royaltyclerk.com/texas-well-watch/howard-county-tx"><img src="https://royaltyclerk.com/maps/county-wells/howard-county-tx.svg" alt="Map of Howard County, Texas, with 11,199 oil and gas wells and 323 recent drilling locations as dots." width="1000" height="1281" loading="lazy" style="max-width:100%;height:auto;border:0"></a>
<p style="margin:4px 0 0;font-size:14px">Map: <a href="https://royaltyclerk.com/texas-well-watch/howard-county-tx">Howard County, Texas oil and gas wells</a> by Royalty Clerk, from Railroad Commission of Texas records</p>

The last twelve months

Month by month in Howard County

Drilling events by month in Howard County
Month	Permits	Completions	First production
Oct 2026	16	0	0
Sep 2026	9	2	0
Aug 2026	11	0	2
Jul 2026	4	0	2
Jun 2026	8	8	0
May 2026	16	11	1
Apr 2026	15	17	6
Mar 2026	31	16	3
Feb 2026	11	14	2
Jan 2026	20	15	2
Dec 2025	13	15	5
Nov 2025	9	8	0

Counted from November 15, 2025 to October 30, 2026, so the first and last months are partial. Source: Railroad Commission of Texas data sets.

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The newest drilling permits in Howard County

The 50 newest W-1 permits the Railroad Commission issued here, through October 30, 2026.

The newest drilling permits issued in Howard County
Issued	Lease and well	Operator	Drilling began	Depth, ft	API number	Coordinates	Permit
2026-10-30	WILDCAT 1new drill · verticalEnterprise Products OperatingllcAPI 42-227-42941 · permit 091941532.17080, -101.67747380 ft	Enterprise Products Operatingllc		380	42-227-42941	32.17080, -101.67747	0919415
2026-10-26	WILLIS WINTERS 1re-entry · verticalHighpeak Energy Holdings, LLCAPI 42-227-02549 · permit 091967632.49451, -101.227857,536 ft	Highpeak Energy Holdings, LLC		7,536	42-227-02549	32.49451, -101.22785	0919676
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM G 11DNnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42940 · permit 091936132.23175, -101.6256812,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42940	32.23175, -101.62568	0919361
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM F 10HAnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42939 · permit 091935932.23172, -101.6257712,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42939	32.23172, -101.62577	0919359
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM F 9LLnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42938 · permit 091935732.23170, -101.6258612,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42938	32.23170, -101.62586	0919357
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM F 8DNnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42937 · permit 091935632.23168, -101.6259612,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42937	32.23168, -101.62596	0919356
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM F 7JMnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42936 · permit 091935532.23166, -101.6260512,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42936	32.23166, -101.62605	0919355
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM E 6LLnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42935 · permit 091935432.23164, -101.6261412,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42935	32.23164, -101.62614	0919354
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM E 5HAnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42934 · permit 091935332.23119, -101.6281412,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42934	32.23119, -101.62814	0919353
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM E 4DNnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42933 · permit 091935232.23117, -101.6282412,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42933	32.23117, -101.62824	0919352
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM 3HAnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42931 · permit 091934932.23115, -101.6283312,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42931	32.23115, -101.62833	0919349
2026-10-20	BLUESTEM 2LLnew drill · horizontalOxyrock Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42932 · permit 091935132.23113, -101.6284312,000 ft	Oxyrock Operating, LLC		12,000	42-227-42932	32.23113, -101.62843	0919351
2026-10-09	TUBB 39 3recompletion · verticalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-37425 · permit 091916732.13634, -101.49937drilling began 2013-04-17 · 10,170 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2013-04-17	10,170	42-227-37425	32.13634, -101.49937	0919167
2026-10-09	TUBB 39 1recompletion · verticalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-36348 · permit 091916632.14231, -101.49193drilling began 2012-02-24 · 9,900 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2012-02-24	9,900	42-227-36348	32.14231, -101.49193	0919166
2026-10-01	MIYAGI E 38-35 2AHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42930 · permit 091897932.13752, -101.487109,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42930	32.13752, -101.48710	0918979
2026-10-01	MIYAGI D 38-35 1AHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42929 · permit 091897732.13750, -101.487189,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42929	32.13750, -101.48718	0918977
2026-09-21	NEWDGE B 06-43 7MHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42928 · permit 091874832.45577, -101.533819,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42928	32.45577, -101.53381	0918748
2026-09-21	NEWDGE A 06-43 6NHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42927 · permit 091874732.45583, -101.533839,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42927	32.45583, -101.53383	0918747
2026-09-18	ROHL A 311Hnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42917 · permit 091752532.17478, -101.45842drilling began 2026-09-21 · 9,800 ft	SM Energy Company	2026-09-21	9,800	42-227-42917	32.17478, -101.45842	0917525
2026-09-11	MIDDLETON UNIT A 47-38 3MHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42926 · permit 091846332.48611, -101.588979,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42926	32.48611, -101.58897	0918463
2026-09-11	MIDDLETON UNIT A 47-38 3CHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42925 · permit 091846132.48618, -101.588989,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42925	32.48618, -101.58898	0918461
2026-09-11	MIDDLETON UNIT A 47-38 2MHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42924 · permit 091845632.48624, -101.589009,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42924	32.48624, -101.58900	0918456
2026-09-04	PALPATINE B 46-03 2DHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42922 · permit 091821832.13461, -101.49967drilling began 2026-09-24 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-09-24	9,000	42-227-42922	32.13461, -101.49967	0918218
2026-09-03	JAZ 1new drill · verticalR.d.s. Ranch-Water SVS, Inc.API 42-227-42923 · permit 091827232.27154, -101.685721,900 ft	R.d.s. Ranch-Water SVS, Inc.		1,900	42-227-42923	32.27154, -101.68572	0918272
2026-09-02	PALPATINE A 46-03 1DHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42921 · permit 091821732.13459, -101.49975drilling began 2026-09-27 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-09-27	9,000	42-227-42921	32.13459, -101.49975	0918217
2026-08-18	WILLIE SCOTT AA 0882WDnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42908 · permit 091742332.19117, -101.4454010,000 ft	SM Energy Company		10,000	42-227-42908	32.19117, -101.44540	0917423
2026-08-18	WILLIE SCOTT AA 0841WAnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42909 · permit 091741532.19122, -101.445418,000 ft	SM Energy Company		8,000	42-227-42909	32.19122, -101.44541	0917415
2026-08-13	JACUZZIE B 212Hnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42919 · permit 091752732.17776, -101.447259,750 ft	SM Energy Company		9,750	42-227-42919	32.17776, -101.44725	0917527
2026-08-13	WACO KID MARION RAVENWOOD C 0746WAnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42916 · permit 091748832.17775, -101.447319,950 ft	SM Energy Company		9,950	42-227-42916	32.17775, -101.44731	0917488
2026-08-13	WACO KID MARION RAVENWOOD B 1824LSnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42915 · permit 091748632.17773, -101.447379,900 ft	SM Energy Company		9,900	42-227-42915	32.17773, -101.44737	0917486
2026-08-13	WILLIE SCOTT BB 0885WDnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42913 · permit 091744032.19294, -101.4394110,000 ft	SM Energy Company		10,000	42-227-42913	32.19294, -101.43941	0917440
2026-08-13	JACUZZIE A 211Hnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42918 · permit 091752632.17473, -101.45841drilling began 2026-09-20 · 9,700 ft	SM Energy Company	2026-09-20	9,700	42-227-42918	32.17473, -101.45841	0917526
2026-08-11	WACO KID MARION RAVENWOOD A 0781WDnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42920 · permit 091748532.17483, -101.458449,850 ft	SM Energy Company		9,850	42-227-42920	32.17483, -101.45844	0917485
2026-08-06	WILLIE SCOTT BB 0825LSnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42910 · permit 091743232.19293, -101.439477,500 ft	SM Energy Company		7,500	42-227-42910	32.19293, -101.43947	0917432
2026-08-06	WILLIE SCOTT BA 0848WAnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42912 · permit 091743032.19291, -101.439538,000 ft	SM Energy Company		8,000	42-227-42912	32.19291, -101.43953	0917430
2026-08-05	WACO KID MARION RAVENWOOD AA 1821LSnew drill · horizontalSM Energy CompanyAPI 42-227-42914 · permit 091748432.17488, -101.458469,800 ft	SM Energy Company		9,800	42-227-42914	32.17488, -101.45846	0917484
2026-07-29	C CITY 20-18 H 1WDnew drill · horizontalBayswater Operating Company LLCAPI 42-227-42911 · permit 091741932.34844, -101.279889,200 ft	Bayswater Operating Company LLC		9,200	42-227-42911	32.34844, -101.27988	0917419
2026-07-28	CP #26-132 CATHODIC PROTECTION 38new drill · verticalEnergy Transfer CompanyAPI 42-227-42907 · permit 091724732.30485, -101.18569600 ft	Energy Transfer Company		600	42-227-42907	32.30485, -101.18569	0917247
2026-07-20	THE PEAKS 29-17 B UNIT A 5Hnew drill · horizontalHighpeak Energy Holdings, LLCAPI 42-227-42906 · permit 091727232.20012, -101.34080drilling began 2026-08-07 · 7,500 ft	Highpeak Energy Holdings, LLC	2026-08-07	7,500	42-227-42906	32.20012, -101.34080	0917272
2026-07-20	THE PEAKS 29-17 A UNIT A 3Hnew drill · horizontalHighpeak Energy Holdings, LLCAPI 42-227-42905 · permit 091727132.20011, -101.340887,300 ft	Highpeak Energy Holdings, LLC		7,300	42-227-42905	32.20011, -101.34088	0917271
2026-06-30	VERTIGO 6-7 H 1WAnew drill · horizontalBayswater Operating Company LLCAPI 42-227-42904 · permit 091670632.39764, -101.31589drilling began 2026-07-11 · 8,500 ft	Bayswater Operating Company LLC	2026-07-11	8,500	42-227-42904	32.39764, -101.31589	0916706
2026-06-30	VERTIGO 6-7 H 2WAnew drill · horizontalBayswater Operating Company LLCAPI 42-227-42903 · permit 091670432.39765, -101.31582drilling began 2026-07-11 · 8,500 ft	Bayswater Operating Company LLC	2026-07-11	8,500	42-227-42903	32.39765, -101.31582	0916704
2026-06-25	ENGLE UNIT B 43-54 3AHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42900 · permit 091665132.42595, -101.32250drilling began 2026-08-19 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-08-19	9,000	42-227-42900	32.42595, -101.32250	0916651
2026-06-24	ENGLE UNIT B 43-54 4SHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42901 · permit 091665232.42595, -101.32242drilling began 2026-08-10 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-08-10	9,000	42-227-42901	32.42595, -101.32242	0916652
2026-06-24	ENGLE UNIT A 43-54 3SHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42902 · permit 091664232.42595, -101.32258drilling began 2026-08-25 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-08-25	9,000	42-227-42902	32.42595, -101.32258	0916642
2026-06-01	EVANS-ANTELL UNIT B 46-03 4MHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42899 · permit 091597232.46286, -101.598299,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC		9,000	42-227-42899	32.46286, -101.59829	0915972
2026-06-01	EVANS-ANTELL UNIT B 46-03 4CHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42898 · permit 091597132.46273, -101.59825drilling began 2026-07-05 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-07-05	9,000	42-227-42898	32.46273, -101.59825	0915971
2026-06-01	EVANS-ANTELL UNIT B 46-03 3MHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42897 · permit 091596932.46179, -101.59827drilling began 2026-07-13 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-07-13	9,000	42-227-42897	32.46179, -101.59827	0915969
2026-05-29	EVANS-ANTELL UNIT B 46-03 2MHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42895 · permit 091596832.46136, -101.60230drilling began 2026-07-31 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-07-31	9,000	42-227-42895	32.46136, -101.60230	0915968
2026-05-29	EVANS-ANTELL UNIT B 46-03 2CHnew drill · horizontalSurge Operating, LLCAPI 42-227-42896 · permit 091596732.46149, -101.60234drilling began 2026-07-13 · 9,000 ft	Surge Operating, LLC	2026-07-13	9,000	42-227-42896	32.46149, -101.60234	0915967

These are the newest 50 of 832 permits on file for Howard County. The rest follow, 50 to a page.

A permit is permission to drill, not a well. Source: Railroad Commission of Texas drilling permit files.

Email me the new ones

Year by year

Drilling permits issued in Howard County, by year

Drilling permits issued in Howard County by year
Year	Permits issued
2026 so far	141
2025	165
2024	332
2023	127
2022	51
2021	7
2020	1
2019	1
2018	2
2017	1
2016	1
2015	1
2013	1
2011	1

Counted from the permit files we hold, which start in 2011; that first year may be partial. Source: Railroad Commission of Texas drilling permit files.

The latest

The most recent records

The latest drilling records in Howard County
Date	What, who and where
2026-10-30	Permit issued: Enterprise Products OperatingllcWILDCAT · A-1429 · permit 0919415
2026-10-26	Permit issued: Highpeak Energy Holdings, LLCWILLIS WINTERS · A-752 · permit 0919676
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM G · A-393 · permit 0919361
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM F · A-393 · permit 0919359
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM F · A-393 · permit 0919357
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM F · A-393 · permit 0919356
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM F · A-393 · permit 0919355
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM E · A-393 · permit 0919354
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM E · A-393 · permit 0919353
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM E · A-393 · permit 0919352
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM · A-393 · permit 0919349
2026-10-20	Permit issued: Oxyrock Operating, LLCBLUESTEM · A-393 · permit 0919351
2026-10-09	Permit issued: Surge Operating, LLCTUBB 39 · A-377 · permit 0919166
2026-10-09	Permit issued: Surge Operating, LLCTUBB 39 · A-377 · permit 0919167
2026-10-01	Permit issued: Surge Operating, LLCMIYAGI E 38-35 · A-1144 · permit 0918979

Coming up

First checks coming due in Howard County

Worked out from the state's first-production month: 120 days after the end of the month. The earliest date, not a certainty.

El Rey 16-28, Diamondback E&P LLCby November 28, 2026
Morgan Ranch 35-47 B Unit, Highpeak Energy Holdings, LLCby November 28, 2026
Bull 33-45 Unit, Diamondback E&P LLCby December 29, 2026
Bull 28-45 Unit, Diamondback E&P LLCby December 29, 2026

Follow it

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Pick the whole county or search your abstract. One email a week at most.

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County

Where the land is. Your deed or lease names it.

The abstract, or the survey's name

For example A-1119, or Bush, or T&P 38. Your deed or the tax bill has it.

All of Howard County: leases, operators and production

Other counties

Drilling activity in other counties

FAQ

Questions people ask

How many wells were permitted in Howard County in the last year?

The Railroad Commission issued 163 drilling permits in Howard County in the twelve months to October 30, 2026, and recorded 106 completions and 23 first-production reports. A permit is permission to drill, not a well.

How do I get an alert when a permit is issued near my land in Howard County?

Choose your abstract on this page, or the whole county, and sign in. You get one email a week, only when something new is recorded after you sign up. The alert says whether an event is on an interest in your Mineral File, on a place you follow, or only nearby.

When is my first royalty check due after a new well?

Natural Resources Code section 91.402(a) says on or before 120 days after the end of the month of first sale of production from the well. The state's first-production month is the closest public marker, so the date on this page is the earliest, not a certainty.

Work out the first-check date

Got a new well on your land?

The first check is due within 120 days after the end of the month of first sale.

Check my statement First-check date

Sources

Primary sources, opened on 29 September 2026. Statute text is the current version on statutes.capitol.texas.gov.