2.3M+ Historical Well-Permit Records from 27 Configured State Sources

A drilling permit is a legal authorization from a state regulatory agency allowing an operator to drill an oil or gas well at a specific location. Permits must be obtained before any drilling can begin and include details about well depth, casing program, and operator information.

Well permits are a leading indicator of future drilling activity. A surge in permit applications signals operator confidence and upcoming rig activity, while declining permits suggest a slowdown. Permit data typically leads actual drilling by 30-90 days.

Texas consistently leads the nation in drilling permits due to its size and prolific basins (Permian, Eagle Ford). California, Ohio, Wyoming, and Louisiana follow with extensive historical records going back over a century.

Configured source-check schedules vary by state, but a daily or weekly schedule is not a freshness guarantee. Use each state's latest permit-record date as the data frontier. Recent activity does not by itself establish completeness or alert readiness.

Drilling permits typically include: operator name, well name and number, surface and bottom hole location (GPS/survey), proposed depth, formation target, lease information, and anticipated spud date.

The earliest returned records date to 1864. Historical depth and field completeness vary materially by regulator, so each state page reports its own returned date range.