Mineral rights in Chaves County, New Mexico
Chaves County is a quieter corner of New Mexico's mineral market, with 5 permits in the last 24 months — which can mean motivated owners and less buyer competition.
- 5
- Permits · 24 mo
- 1
- Rigs running
- 7,502
- Wells on record
- 19.6%
- Avg lease royalty
approved through 2026-05-23
as of 2026-05-23
recorded leases, 5 yrs
Who's drilling Chaves County
Operators ranked by drilling permits approved in the 24 months ending 2026-05-23.
| Operator | Permits · 24 mo |
|---|---|
| Mack Energy | 5 |
What the record says
Chaves County recorded 5 drilling permits in the 24 months ending 2026-05-23. Development here is overwhelmingly horizontal (100% of recent permits) — modern pad development that drains whole sections at a time. Most activity targets the Nm Shelf play of the Permian Other basin.
Leasing has kept pace: 11 leases were recorded in the county over the last 24 months, with recent recorded leases averaging about 19.6% 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.
Chaves County mineral rights FAQ
Who is drilling in Chaves County, New Mexico?
The most active operators by permits approved in the last 24 months are Mack Energy. The full table above lists the top five with permit counts.
What royalty are leases paying in Chaves County?
Recorded leases over the past five years in Chaves County average about 19.6% 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 Chaves County?
Start with the Chaves 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 Chaves County?
Mineral Eagle links every permit above to the owners it affects — name by name, with the records to back it up.