Dewitt County lies at about forty-five miles from Copano Bay, on the Gulf Coast Plain in southeastern Texas. Cuero is its county seat and its largest town. Named after Green DeWitt, an empresario, the county comprises 910 sq. mi. and is bounded by the counties of Victoria, Goliad, Karnes, Gonzales, and Lavaca.

For the past two decades, oil wells in Dewitt County were not much productive until the oil boom which began in 2010. Since its production history, 5,086 wells have been drilled. Dewitt County has produced 4,736,344 barrels of oil as of August 2014 – the highest recorded yet – and is showing a lot of promise. So far, there are 774 producing leases and 62 producing operators. Burlington Resources O & G Co. LP, Chesapeake Operating Inc., Devon Energy Production Co. LP, and Sabine Oil & Gas LLC are some of Dewitt County’s top producing operators.

Top Leases in Dewitt County, TX:

• Burlington Resources O & G Co LP
• Chesapeake Operating, Inc.
• Devon Energy Production Co, L.P.
• Encana Oil & Gas(USA) Inc.
• EOG Resources, Inc.
• Geosouthern Energy Corporation
• Magnum Producing, LP
• Marathon Oil Ef LLC
• Matador Production Company
• Pioneer Natural Res. USA, Inc.
• Remora Management, LLC
• Rosetta Resources Operating LP
• Sabine Oil & Gas LLC
• Statoil Texas Onshore Prop LLC

References:

“Oil Wells and Production in Dawson County, TX.” Dawson County, TX Oil Wells, Operators, and Production Data. Texas Data Applications, LLC. Web. 1 Feb. 2015. <http://www.texas-drilling.com/dawson-county>.

Roell, Craig H. “DEWITT COUNTY.” Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association, 12 June 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcd07>.

Dawson County lies on the eastern edge of Llano Estacado on the southern High Plains. The land, surfaced with sand and loam, comprises 902 sq. mi. of rolling prairie that drains to the playas. The county is named after Nicholas Mosby Dawson, a hero during the Texas Revolution. Lamesa is the county seat.

Oil production in Dawson County reached its peak in 1996 – 1997 in which more than 8,045,275 barrels of oil were produced. As of August 2014, 436,734 barrels of oil and 279,219 million cu. ft. of gas were produced.

In 2011, 150 drilling permits were approved, reaching an all-time high. In its entire oil production history, Dawson County has already 5,352 drilled wells; 89 companies have been operating in the county. Top producing operators include Chevron USA Inc., Devon Energy Production Co. LP, Diamondback E&P LLC, Endeavor Energy Resources LP, and Fasken Oil and Ranch Ltd.

Top Leases in Dawson County, TX:

• Ackerly /Dean/ Field Unit Oil Lease #060521
• Cedar Lake Unit Oil Lease #000577
• Darrell Oil Lease #070133
• East Ackerly Dean Unit Oil Lease #060687
• East Milagro Unit Oil Lease #040636
• Echols “7” Oil Lease #041504
• Gin Unit Oil Lease #066868
• Koger “2” Oil Lease #038721
• Los Ybanez Spraberry Unit Oil Lease #069470
• Peterson Oil Lease #069521
• South Welch Unit Oil Lease #060337
• Welch North Unit Oil Lease #019573
• West Spraberry Unit Oil Lease #067167
• West Welch Unit Oil Lease #014783

References:

Gelin, Leona M., and Mark Odintz. “DAWSON COUNTY.” Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association, 12 June 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcd03>.

“Oil Wells and Production in Dawson County, TX.” Dawson County, TX Oil Wells, Operators, and Production Data. Texas Data Applications, LLC. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.texas-drilling.com/dawson-county>.

Dimmit County comprises 1,307 sq. mi. of generally flat to rolling terrain in southern Texas. The county is rich in cacti, mesquite, and scrub brush. Carrizo Springs is the county’s seat and the largest town located in the northwest. Bordered by La Salle, Webb, Zavala, and Maverick counties, Dimmit County was named after one of the framers of Goliad Declaration of Independence, Philip Dimmitt.

There are currently 1,554 producing leases and 59 producing operators. Approval of drilling permits reached its highest in 2012, while oil production reached its highest in 2014. That same year, 2,992,876 barrels of oil were produced and potential for growth is seen. In its entire history of oil production, Dimmit County has 8,130 drilled wells. Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC, Blackbrush O&G LLC, and Chesapeake Operating Inc. are the three top producing operators in the county.

Top Leases in Dimmit County, TX:

• Anadarko E&P Onshore LLC
• Blackbrush O & G, LLC
• Chesapeake Operating, Inc.
• Ep Energy E&P Company, L.P.
• Exco Operating Company, LP
• Lewis Petro Properties, Inc.
• Lonestar Operating, LLC
• Murphy Expl. & Prod. Co. – USA
• Newfield Exploration Company
• Rosetta Resources Operating LP
• SM Energy Company
• SN Operating, LLC
• Stonegate Production Company,LLC
• Texas American Resources Company

References:

Leffler, John. “DIMMIT COUNTY.” Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association, 12 June 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hcd09>.

“Oil Wells and Production in Dimmit County, TX.” Dimmit County, TX Oil Wells, Operators, and Production Data. Texas Data Applications, LLC. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.texas-drilling.com/dimmit-county>.

Permit approval in Cochran County peaked in 1990 and in 1994 when more than 100 permits were approved for those years alone. The lowest recorded approval rate in the county occurred in 21998 when just under 20 permits were approved. The approval rate this year is just a little better with an approval more than 20 permits. The companies that filed the most number of permits in the area include A.C.T. Operating Company; Silver Creek Oil & Gas, LLC; Apache Corporation; and Tema Oil and Gas Company.

The highest production in the county occurred in 1993 when more than 7,367,000 barrels of oil were produced. This number, however, has been on a decline ever since, with the worst performance in terms of oil production occurring this year with a production of only a little over 2,946,800 barrels of oil.

Since the start of its operations, some 434 operators have gone into its territory. The top leases in the county include the Boyd Oil Lease #005907; Dean, C.S. “A” Oil Lease #005947; Igoe-Smith Oper. Area Oil Lease #005947; Mallet Oil Lease #018149; and North Central Levelland Unit Oil Lease #060557.

Top Producing Operators in Cochran County, TX

1. Apache Corporation
2. Bee-Jay Petro, Inc.
3. Chevron Midcontinent, L.P.
4. Cross Timbers Energy, LLC
5. Endeavor Energy Resources L.P.
6. Energen Resources Corporation
7. Kimbell Operating Company
8. Legacy Reserves Operating LP
9. Moncrief, W. A., JR.
10. Occidental Permian LTD.
11. Oxy USA WTP LP
12. Tema Oil And Gas Company
13. Vanguard Permian, LLC
14. Walsh Petroleum, Inc.
15. Yucca Energy, Inc.

Top Producing Leases in Cochran County, TX

1. Boyd Oil Lease #005907
2. Dean, C. S. “A” Oil Lease #006035
3. Igoe-Smith Oper. Area Oil Lease #005947
4. Mallet Unit Oil Lease #018149
5. North Central Levelland Unit Oil Lease #060557
6. Northwest Mallet Unit Oil Lease #018246
7. Smith-Igoe Oil Lease #006071
8. West Levelland Unit Oil Lease #060190
9. Woodley, F. L. Oil Lease #005998
10. Wright, J.M. Unit Oil Lease #068120
11. Xit Unit Oil Lease #060436

Permit approval rates in Cameron County have only reached a high of just over 9 permits approved. This happened in 1998. The second highest record of permit approvals in the county happened in 1990 and 1992 when 9 permits were approved on each year. The last year that permits were given out was in 2013 when two permits submitted by the Esenjay Operating, Inc. and Sanchez Oil & Gas Corporation were approved. In the previous years, Waters Eng. & Operating, Inc. AND Western Gulf Oil & Gas, LLC were among the companies that filed permits in the county.

Oil production in Cameron County has gone on a downward spiral since 1993 when more than 1,900 barrels of oil were produced. In fact, in 2002, no oil was produced in the county at all. This has been the case in the past two years as well.

In the county’s history, some 130 operations have entered into its territory. At present, there are no oil leases in the county.

The peak of Carson County’s permit approval occurred in 1997 when over 40 permits were approved for that year alone. Only the spike in permit approvals that occurred in 2014 has come close to this record. For last year, just 10 permits were approved. For this year, over 35 permits were approved.

As for oil production, it peaked in 1993 when the county produced more than 574,300 barrels of oil. Ever since, the production in the county has gone down to an average of around 344,580 barrels of oil. For this year, the production went down to just over 114,860 barrels.

Since the start of the county’s operations, around 489 operators have gone into its territory. The top leases include the Bednorz “B” Oil Lease #005031; Burnett –K- Oil Lease #003804; Dawkins Oil Lease #005578; Fee -244- Oil Lease #000106; and Schafer Ranch Oil Lease #000142.

Top Leases in Carson County, TX
Bednorz “B” Oil Lease #005031
Burnett Gas Lease #270243
Burnett Gas Lease #157010
Burnett Gas Lease #023147
Burnett Gas Lease #023142
Burnett Oil Lease #000112
Burnett Gas Lease #273498
Burnett -K- Oil Lease #003804
Burnett Ad Unit Gas Lease #272857
Burnett D Gas Lease #272155
Burnett Estate A Gas Lease #136047
Burnett, Estate Gas Lease #024499
Crutchfield Gas Lease #024066
Dawkins Oil Lease #005578
Fee -244- Oil Lease #000106
Schafer Ranch Oil Lease #000142
Schafer Ranch East Oil Lease #006568
Two Bar Ranch Oil Lease #005158
Wab-Evelyn Oil Lease #005586
Ware, R. C. Et Al Oil Lease #006857

Permit approval in Chambers County has been erratic at best since the start of its operations in 1990. The highest permit approval rate came in 1997 when more than 100 permits were approved. The lowest permit approval that has been recorded with only 20 permits approved was in 2009. This year, permit approval soared to more than 60 permits. The top companies that have filed permits in the county for approval are Samson Exploration, LLC; Linc Gulf Coast Petroleum, Inc.; and Denbury Onshore, LLC.

Meanwhile, the highest oil production recorded in the county occurred in 2013 when more than 2,577,175 barrels of oil were produced. The lowest recorded production occurred in 2009 when only around 515,435 barrels of oil were produced. In its entire history of operations, some 766 operators have gone into the county’s territory. The top leases in the county include the Chambers County Agr. Co. Oil Lease #000170; Fitzgerald, L. E. Unit # 1 Oil Lease #000191; Gallo Oil Lease #026272; Kirby Per Co. Oil Lease #000156; and Kirby Pet. Co. –B- Oil Lease #000194.

The highest recorded permit approval rate in Childress was in 1997 when more than 4 permits were approved. In 2005 and 2008, just 4 permits were filed. In 2014, one permit was filed and disapproved. This was filed by LMH Energy. Other companies that filed permits in the county were Corlena Oil Company and Annavas Development Co., LTD.

In 2009, the county listed its highest production at more than 36,900 barrels of oil for that year alone. For this year, production has gone down to just 7,380 barrels of oil. This is almost at the same level as the county’s worse production years on 1993 to 1999.

Since the start of its operations, around 50 operators have gone into Childress County’s territory. The top leases in the county include the Coats Oil Lease #007190; Jouett Oil Lease #007866; Key, A. Oil Lease #007355; Lock Unit Oil Lease #007093; Perkins Oil Lease #007045; and Sharp Oil Lease #007456.

Top Leases in Childress County, TX

• Coats Oil Lease #007190
• Jouett Oil Lease #007866
• Key, A. Oil Lease #007355
• Lock Unit Oil Lease #007093
• Perkins Oil Lease #007045
• Sharp Oil Lease #007456

Permit approval rates in Bowie County have only reached a high of just over 9 permits approved. This happened in 1990 when permits were first handed out. The second highest record of permit approvals in the county happened in 1997 when 9 permits were approved.  The last year that permits were given out was in 2012 when two permits submitted by the SDG Operating Company, Inc were approved. In the previous years, Carr Resources, Inc.; Sunray Operating Company LLC; Hamman Oil & Refining Company; and Smith Operating & Management Co were among the companies that filed permits in the county.

Oil production peaked at two points in the county’s history. First was in 1993 and the second was in 1997 with a production of over 250,875 barrels of oil for each year. Since then the production has trickled down to below 50,175 barrels of oil a year.

In the county’s history, some 108 operations have entered into its territory. The top leases include Adams Oil Lease #012070, Ashford Oil Lease #012102, Bentley Oil Lease #012687, and Langley Unit Oil Lease #012341.

Top Leases in Bowie County, TX
• Adams Oil Lease #012070
• Ashford Oil Lease #012102
• Ashford, H. Gas Unit Gas Lease #072957
• Bentley Oil Lease #012687
• Bentley Unit Oil Lease #012226
• Langley Unit Oil Lease #012341
• Liberty-Eylau Isd Oil Lease #013260
• Owen, J.D. Gas Unit Gas Lease #086181
• Redwater Smackover Unit Oil Lease #013801
• Sorsby Oil Lease #011793
• Southern Mineral Corp. Oil Lease #012376
• Stuart Unit Oil Lease #012042
• Wilson, Loyd Gas Unit Gas Lease #059057

Permit approval in Calhoun County peaked in 1990 when more than 50 permits were approved for that year alone. The lowest recorded approval rate in the count occurred in 2010 when just under 10 permits were approved. The approval rate this year is just a little better with an approval of 6 permits out of the 11 filed. The companies that filed the most number of permits in the area include Bopco, L.P.; Taos Resources Operating Co LLC; Magnum Operating, LLC; and Formation Resources LLC.

The highest production in the company occurred in 1993 when more than 567,450 barrels of oil were produced. This number, however, has been on a decline ever since, with the worst performance in terms of oil production occurring this year with a production of only 113,490 barrels of oil.

Since the start of its operations, some 543 operators have gone into its territory.  The top leases in the county include the Bennet, W.H. Oil Leases #007419 and #000703; Dunwoody, Charles Oil Lease #000691; Hahn Oil Lease #008795; and P.W.L.R. Oil Lease #008703.

Top Leases in Calhoun County, TX
• Aluminum Company Of America Fee Gas Lease #113423
• Bennett, W. H. Oil Lease #007419
• Bennett, W. H. Oil Lease #000703
• Brooking, M. T. #2 Gas Lease #269676
• Bull Redfish Unit Gas Lease #266900
• Dunwoody, Charles Oil Lease #000691
• Hahn Oil Lease #008795
• Mag. Beach-Kellers Bay St. G. U. Gas Lease #002948
• MM Brooking #3 Gas Lease #272724
• P.W.L.R. Oil Lease #008703
• Quail Ridge/State Unit Gas Lease #267712
• State Tract 209 Gas Lease #263470
• State Tract 216 Oil Lease #006058
• State Tract 216 Oil Lease #006506
• State Tract 216 Oil Lease #006568
• State Tract 26 Gas Lease #153920
• State Tract 86 Gas Lease #168365
• State Tract 99 Oil Lease #004219
• Traylor, Maude B. Oil Lease #003004
• Welder, Patrick H. Gas Lease #265973