Sabalo II Operating continues to demonstrate disciplined execution in the Midland Basin with the approval of a new air permit in Section 28, Block 3, Andrews County, Texas. While air permits are often viewed as regulatory milestones, in this case the timing provides a clear operational signal: Section 28 has moved through drilling and completion and is transitioning into producing operations.
This approval aligns tightly with Sabalo II’s broader development cadence across Block 3, where the company has executed a steady, repeatable drilling and completion program anchored in mature land control and manufacturing-style operations.
Section 28 Cadence: From Permits to Production
A closer look at Section 28 reveals a tightly coordinated development sequence rather than speculative or one-off activity.
Permitting cadence in Section 28 spanned approximately 232 days, with licensing activity concentrated in Q2 2025, signaling deliberate planning rather than reactive permitting. Drilling activity followed quickly, with the first activity recorded in January 2025 and the last in August 2025, representing a 216-day active drilling window Sabalo II Operating Block 3 & S….
What stands out most is execution consistency:
- Average ~36 days between drilling activities, indicating a controlled, predictable drilling pace
- 100% of permitted wells drilled, with no idle or deferred locations
- Single-rig execution (AKITA 803) across all wells, reducing operational variability
Completions tell a similar story. Section 28 wells were completed within a tight 21-day window, with completions occurring roughly every 10–11 days, a hallmark of batch-style, pad-based frac operations. This drill-hold-complete workflow is typical of operators optimizing capital efficiency rather than chasing short-term production spikes Sabalo II Operating Block 3 & S….
Why the Air Permit Matters
The newly approved air permit, received December 26, 2025, arrives after drilling and completions, not before. That sequencing is important.
Rather than signaling new drilling, the permit reflects:
- Facility and battery infrastructure readiness
- Transition from temporary operations to long-term production
- Completion of surface, subsurface, and regulatory alignment
In other words, Section 28 is no longer in build mode—it’s in production mode. This “drill → complete → permit facilities” sequence reinforces Sabalo II’s reputation for executing full-cycle development rather than front-loading permits without follow-through Sabalo II Operating Block 3 & S….
Block 3: The Strategic Context
Section 28 sits within Sabalo II’s broader Block 3 development area, which shows all the hallmarks of a mature, repeatable Permian program.
Across Block 3:
- Activity spans more than 4,000 days, blending legacy wells with modern horizontal development
- Permitting and drilling are concentrated in a single block with reused abstracts and sections
- Development is dominated by horizontal Spraberry wells, with depths ranging from ~8,200 to ~13,000 feet
This pattern points to stacked-pay co-development, not exploratory drilling. Multiple benches are being developed within the same sections, supported by consistent well designs and repeat pad utilization. The result is lower surface risk, efficient infrastructure reuse, and predictable execution—all critical advantages in today’s capital-disciplined Permian environment Sabalo II Operating Block 3 & S….
Team Strength Behind the Cadence
Operational cadence like this doesn’t happen by accident. Sabalo II Operating’s results reflect a team built for execution.
Sabalo’s leadership and technical teams average more than 25 years of experience across domestic and international plays. That experience spans the full lifecycle of field development, including:
- Drilling and completions
- Stimulation and production optimization
- Facility construction and gas processing
This depth allows Sabalo II to move seamlessly from permitting to drilling, from completions to facilities—without operational bottlenecks. The consistency seen in Block 3 and Section 28 is a direct outcome of that integrated, experienced approach.
Bottom Line
The Section 28 air permit approval is more than a regulatory checkbox. When viewed alongside drilling, completion, and Block 3 development data, it confirms that Sabalo II Operating has successfully transitioned Section 28 into producing status.
Combined with disciplined cadence, concentrated surface development, and an experienced technical team, Sabalo II continues to execute a manufacturing-style Permian development strategy—one that prioritizes repeatability, efficiency, and long-term value creation.
Why This Matters for Service Companies
For oilfield service and infrastructure providers, the Section 28 air permit approval is a late-stage operational signal, not an early indicator.
Key takeaways:
- Production infrastructure is now active
The air permit was received after drilling and completions, signaling that permanent facilities (CTB, tank batteries, vapor control, compression, power, and gas handling) are now in place or coming online Sabalo II Operating Block 3 & S…. - Cadence is predictable, not sporadic
Section 28 shows consistent drilling (~36-day intervals) and tightly clustered completions (~10-day intervals), a strong indicator of repeatable execution rather than one-off projects. Predictable cadence reduces mobilization risk and improves scheduling confidence. - Single-rig, pad-based execution favors continuity vendors
The exclusive use of one drilling rig across all Section 28 wells reflects operational discipline. Service companies that win work in this environment are often those aligned for multi-well, multi-phase continuity, not spot work. - Facilities follow wells—on purpose
The timing confirms a deliberate drill → complete → permit facilities → produce workflow. For facility construction, emissions control, electrical, compression, automation, and maintenance providers, this is the stage where longer-duration service demand emerges. - Mature operator behavior = lower commercial risk
Concentrated development within a single section and block, combined with experienced field execution, signals a customer that values reliability, safety, and long-term vendor relationships—key traits for service companies looking to deploy capital and crews efficiently.
Bottom line:
For service companies tracking Andrews County and the Midland Basin, the Section 28 air permit is a strong indicator that Sabalo II Operating is moving into a sustained production and facilities phase, where repeat work, predictable scheduling, and infrastructure-focused services matter most.
