April 2026
Oklahoma’s oil and gas sector continues to demonstrate steady drilling activity, supported by a strong inventory of permitted wells that have yet to be drilled. While rig counts reflect current operations, the real story lies in how those rigs align—or don’t—with the growing backlog of undeveloped permits across key plays.
Together, these two datasets provide a clear picture of both current activity and future drilling potential across the state.
Current Drilling Activity: Top Operators and Rigs
Over the past 30 days, drilling activity in Oklahoma has been led by a concentrated group of operators deploying rigs across core areas like the STACK, SCOOP, and Granite Wash.
Top 3 Operators by Active Rigs
1. Mewbourne Oil Company – 5 Rigs
- Patterson 573
- Patterson 576
- Patterson 291
- Patterson 591
- Latshaw 15
Mewbourne leads the state in active rigs, relying heavily on Patterson-UTI with additional support from Latshaw. This reflects a consistent and scaled drilling program.
2. Validus Energy – 3 Rigs
- H&P 459
- H&P 300
- H&P 388
Validus is fully aligned with Helmerich & Payne (H&P), signaling a focus on high-efficiency horizontal drilling operations.
3. Camino Natural Resources – 3 Rigs
- Cactus 160
- Cactus 154
- Cactus 168
Camino’s exclusive use of Cactus Drilling rigs highlights a tight contractor relationship and operational consistency.
Open Permits: A View into Future Activity
Looking at the past 12 months, Oklahoma has a significant number of approved but undrilled permits, indicating a strong pipeline of future drilling activity.
Top 5 Operators by Open Permits
- Continental Resources – 18 permits
- Citation Oil & Gas Corp. – 13 permits
- Rush Creek Resources – 13 permits
- Mewbourne Oil Company – 12 permits
- Latigo Oil and Gas Inc. – 12 permits
These operators represent the largest inventory of future drilling opportunities in the state.
Comparing Active Drillers vs. Permit Holders
A comparison between current rig leaders and permit leaders reveals important insights:
Overlap: Active + Future Pipeline
- Mewbourne Oil Company
- #1 in active rigs (5)
- #4 in open permits (12)
👉 Insight:
Mewbourne is both actively drilling and holding a strong backlog, indicating sustained drilling momentum and long-term development plans.
Permit-Heavy, Not Yet Fully Active
- Continental Resources (18 permits)
- Citation Oil & Gas (13 permits)
- Rush Creek Resources (13 permits)
- Latigo Oil & Gas (12 permits)
👉 Insight:
These operators have significant undeveloped inventory but are not among the top current rig users, suggesting:
- Upcoming rig deployments
- Delayed capital execution
- Potential contracting opportunities
Active Drillers with Limited Permit Visibility
- Validus Energy
- Camino Natural Resources
👉 Insight:
These operators are currently active but do not appear in the top permit backlog, which could mean:
- Shorter inventory runway
- Reliance on previously permitted locations
- Potential slowdown without new permits
What This Means for Future Drilling
The data points to a two-speed Oklahoma market:
1. Steady Current Activity
- Led by operators like Mewbourne, Validus, and Camino
- Supported by strong contractor alignment (Patterson, H&P, Cactus)
2. Building Future Pipeline
- Driven by Continental, Citation, Rush Creek, and Latigo
- Concentrated in core plays like SCOOP, STACK, and Granite Wash
Key Takeaways
- Mewbourne stands out as the most balanced operator (active rigs + strong permit inventory)
- Contractor relationships are highly concentrated, offering clear targeting opportunities
- A large backlog of permits suggests future rig demand is likely to increase, especially among operators not currently running rigs
- The gap between permit holders and active drillers represents near-term business development opportunities
Final Thought
Oklahoma’s drilling landscape is not just about how many rigs are running today—it’s about who is positioned to drill next.
With a deep inventory of undeveloped permits and a concentrated group of active operators, the state is well-positioned for continued, disciplined drilling activity through 2026.
Author: phinds
