Cherokee Platform basin

Mineral rights in Cowley County, Kansas

Cowley County is a quieter corner of Kansas's mineral market, with 7 permits in the last 24 months — which can mean motivated owners and less buyer competition.

7
Permits · 24 mo

up 600% vs prior 24 months

1
Rigs running

as of 2026-05-23

11,475
Wells on record
13.7%
Avg lease royalty

recorded leases, 5 yrs

Who's drilling Cowley County

Operators ranked by drilling permits approved in the 24 months ending 2026-05-23.

Operator Permits · 24 mo
Val Energy 4
Darrah Oil Company, LLC 3

What the record says

Cowley County recorded 7 drilling permits in the 24 months ending 2026-05-23, against 1 in the prior 24 months. Most activity targets the Mississippi Lime play of the Cherokee Platform basin.

Leasing has kept pace: 34 leases were recorded in the county over the last 24 months, with recent recorded leases averaging about 13.7% royalty. For how royalty terms work, see our royalty guide.

Thinking about value? Start with what drives mineral prices or run the numbers in the value calculator.

Cowley County mineral rights FAQ

Who is drilling in Cowley County, Kansas?

The most active operators by permits approved in the last 24 months are Val Energy, Darrah Oil Company, LLC. The full table above lists the top five with permit counts.

What royalty are leases paying in Cowley County?

Recorded leases over the past five years in Cowley County average about 13.7% royalty. Individual terms vary with acreage position, competition, and the operator — treat this as a market reference point, not a quote.

How do I research mineral rights ownership in Cowley County?

Start with the Cowley County clerk's deed records and the county appraisal roll, then verify against state regulator filings. Our title search guide walks through the process, and the Mineral Eagle platform links these records for the whole county.

For buyers · investors · landmen

Buying in Cowley County?

Mineral Eagle links every permit above to the owners it affects — name by name, with the records to back it up.