Oklahoma’s oil and gas drilling landscape remains firmly in steady-state mode, according to the latest rig count update from Baker Hughes Co.. For the week ending February 23, 2026, rig counts across Oklahoma’s most active plays showed no change, reinforcing a broader theme of capital discipline and predictable execution rather than growth-driven expansion.
Core plays remain unchanged
Drilling activity continues to be concentrated in a small number of proven plays:
- Cana Woodford (Anadarko Basin) held steady at 22 rigs, maintaining its position as Oklahoma’s most active oil and gas play.
- Granite Wash followed with 13 rigs, unchanged week over week.
- Ardmore Woodford remained at 2 rigs, while the Arkoma Woodford held at 3 rigs.
- The Mississippian once again reported no active drilling, underscoring its sidelined status in the current capital cycle.
The lack of movement across all major plays signals that operators are comfortable with current activity levels. There is no evidence of acceleration, but just as importantly, no sign of pullback.
Oklahoma vs. the national picture
Nationally, rig activity showed modest shifts elsewhere, with the Permian Basin adding one rig, while other major basins such as the Haynesville, Marcellus, Utica, and Williston remained flat. Against that backdrop, Oklahoma stands out as a mature, cash-flow-oriented drilling province, where capital is allocated to defend core acreage and sustain production rather than chase incremental growth.
Top 5 Oklahoma Accounts by Record Count
Activity within the state is driven by a concentrated group of operators. Based on the Oklahoma Rig Report, the Top 5 Accounts by record count are:
- Continental Resources — 6 records
Contractors & Rigs: Cactus 170, H&P 544, H&P 548, Latshaw 42, Patterson 272, Patterson 287
Profile: The most active operator in the dataset, with a diversified contractor mix and broad execution footprint. - Mewbourne Oil Company — 4 records
Contractors & Rigs: Patterson 287, Patterson 291, Patterson 564, Patterson 592
Profile: Highly disciplined, relying on a tight contractor relationship to support consistent development. - Validus Energy — 4 records
Contractors & Rigs: H&P 300, H&P 388, H&P 459, H&P 649
Profile: A single-contractor strategy that reflects standardized operations and repeatable drilling performance. - Camino Natural Resources, LLC — 4 records
Contractors & Rigs: Cactus 154, Cactus 160, Cactus 166, Cactus 168
Profile: Clustered rig usage suggests focused, pad-based development rather than scattered exploration. - Warwick Energy Group — 2 records
Contractors & Rigs: Cactus 129, Cactus 135
Profile: Smaller but steady activity, consistent with maintenance-level drilling.
What this tells us
Oklahoma’s drilling story right now is about stability, not surprise. Operators are sticking to their best rock, leaning on preferred contractors, and maintaining a cadence that prioritizes execution and returns over headline growth. In a market where incremental rigs are gravitating toward the Permian, Oklahoma continues to play its role as a reliable, disciplined, and highly predictable oil and gas province.
