The first quarter of 2025 in the Dealaware Basin kicked off with a significant uptick in oil and gas drilling activity across North America. Based on recent permit and rig activity data, the industry saw an 18.9% increase in drilling records compared to the same period in 2024.

Delaware Q12024 vs Q12025 Comparison

Key Takeaways:

Drilling Records:
- Q1 2024: 809 records
- Q1 2025: 962 records
  This notable rise reflects continued momentum in upstream investment and drilling operations, particularly in major producing basins.
Top Operators in Q1 2025:
The top five operators leading the charge were:
1. EOG Resources, Inc. – 96 records
2. OXY USA Inc. – 93 records
3. Devon Energy Corporation – 88 records
4. XTO Energy Inc. – 80 records
5. Mewbourne Oil Company – 71 records
While most of these operators increased their activity compared to Q1 2024, EOG and Mewbourne actually decreased slightly, highlighting shifts in strategic focus among major players.
Contractor and Rig Utilization:
- Q1 2024 saw 189 unique rigs in operation.
- Q1 2025 slightly edged up to 191 rigs, indicating a broader spread of contractor engagement despite the rise in overall activity.
- The most frequently seen rigs in Q1 2025 included H&P 620, H&P 246, and Nabors 1204, each contributing heavily to the quarter’s workload.

Conclusion

The comparison between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 paints a picture of modest growth and sustained operator confidence. Although the number of active rigs only increased slightly, the volume of drilling records surged—suggesting improved efficiencies, more pad drilling, or operators accelerating plans early in the year.

As we move through 2025, it will be important to watch whether this trend continues and which contractors and operators maintain or expand their footprint in key regions.