Mineral rights in Natchitoches County, Louisiana
Natchitoches County sees steady, selective drilling — 27 permits over the last 24 months, accelerating versus the prior period.
- 27
- Permits · 24 mo
- 3
- Rigs running
- 19.3%
- Avg lease royalty
up 35% vs prior 24 months
as of 2026-06-09
recorded leases, 5 yrs
Who's drilling Natchitoches County
Operators ranked by drilling permits approved in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09.
| Operator | Permits · 24 mo |
|---|---|
| Expand Energy | 13 |
| Apex Natural Gas, LLC | 9 |
| Azul Operating, LLC | 3 |
| Fontainebleau Operating, LLC | 1 |
| Gep Haynesville II, LLC | 1 |
What the record says
Natchitoches County recorded 27 drilling permits in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09, against 20 in the prior 24 months. Development here is overwhelmingly horizontal (96% of recent permits, averaging 9,967-foot laterals) — modern pad development that drains whole sections at a time. Most activity targets the Haynesville play of the Ark-La-Tx basin.
Leasing has kept pace: 468 leases were recorded in the county over the last 24 months, with recent recorded leases averaging about 19.3% 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.
Natchitoches County mineral rights FAQ
Who is drilling in Natchitoches County, Louisiana?
The most active operators by permits approved in the last 24 months are Expand Energy, Apex Natural Gas, LLC, Azul Operating, LLC. The full table above lists the top five with permit counts.
What royalty are leases paying in Natchitoches County?
Recorded leases over the past five years in Natchitoches County average about 19.3% 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 Natchitoches County?
Start with the Natchitoches 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.
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Buying in Natchitoches County?
Mineral Eagle links every permit above to the owners it affects — name by name, with the records to back it up.