How MORIA & BAG END Advanced From Licence to Drilling to Facility Permit
Civitas Resources’ development of Block 37T5S in Upton County is a clean case study in modern Permian Basin execution: leasing, drilling, completions, facility buildout, and environmental permitting all moving in tight sequence.
This blog walks through the full lifecycle using two anchor leases — MORIA and BAG END — plus the newly approved air permit for the MORIA Facility, issued November 11, 2025.
1. Lease Stage: MORIA & BAG END Establish the Project Foundation
The lifecycle starts with the lease approvals that set up development plans for:
- MORIA
- BAG END
Both leases target the Spraberry Trend Area, with projected depths around 10,000 feet and oil-bearing intervals typical of Upton County.
All wells in the block share the same licence date:
📅 Licence Date: June 3, 2025
This is the official regulatory starting point for the project.
2. Project Cadence #1: Licence → First Drilling Activity (6 Days)
With the licence approved on June 3, Civitas moved extremely quickly to begin drilling.
The earliest Activity Date in the wells dataset is:
📅 First Activity Date: June 9, 2025
⏱ Cadence #1 (Licence → Activity): 6 Days
A six-day mobilization window indicates pre-planned rig scheduling and strong alignment between land, regulatory, and drilling teams — a hallmark of factory development models.
3. Drilling the Block: Rigs, Contractors & Mid-Summer Progress
Civitas deployed rigs from Helmerich & Payne:
- H&P 376
- H&P 628
These rigs drilled the MORIA and BAG END wells through June and July 2025.
This phase represents the conversion of leasing and planning into physical development — pads built, wells spud, and completions likely scheduled soon after.
4. Last Activity Date Before Facility Authorization
Within the MORIA lease group (MORIA I, G, F, E, C):
The final drilling activity in the block occurred on:
📅 Last MORIA Activity Date: July 7, 2025
At this point, drilling operations were complete and the block was likely moving into flowback, early production, and facility commissioning.
5. Air Permit Approval: The MORIA Facility (Nov 11, 2025)
Permit #: 182167
Facility: MORIA Facility, Upton County
Customer: Civitas Permian Operating LLC
Permit Type: New Standard Permit (STDPMT)
Approval Date: November 11, 2025
This permit covers multiple wells (46143170, 46143167, 46143169, 46143168, 46143164, 46143166, 46143163, 46143165), consolidating surface infrastructure and emissions authorization into a unified facility.
6. Project Cadence #2: Last Activity → Air Permit (127 Days)
With last drilling on July 7 and the air permit approved on November 11, we see the second key interval:
⏱ Cadence #2 (Last Activity → Permit): 127 Days
≈ 4.2 months
This aligns with common Permian practice:
- Drilling finishes
- Completions occur
- Facility is constructed and running in temporary mode
- Air permit is submitted and processed by TCEQ
- Approval arrives months later
The development was already materially in operation by the time the permit was formally issued.
7. Why the 37T5S Block Matters
Civitas is establishing itself as one of the most disciplined operators in the Midland Basin. Block 37T5S demonstrates:
✔ Rapid Licence-to-Drill Execution (6 days)
Operational readiness and strong planning.
✔ Efficient Multi-Well Development Across MORIA & BAG END
H&P rigs executing a tight drilling sequence.
✔ Facility Completion Before Permit (127-day lag)
A standard Permian fast-track model.
✔ Full Regulatory Closure by Nov 2025
Allowing long-term, compliant production.
Conclusion: A Model Permian Development Timeline
Block 37T5S showcases the modern Permian rhythm:
- Licensing (June 3, 2025)
- Drilling Begins (June 9, 2025)
- Drilling Completed (July 7, 2025)
- Air Permit Approved (November 11, 2025)
Civitas moved from lease to permitted production in just over 5 months, with only 6 days between licensing and the first rig turning to the right.
This block is a near-perfect example of synchronized planning, operational execution, and environmental compliance in the heart of the Midland Basin.
