Mineral rights in Eddy County, New Mexico
Eddy County is one of New Mexico's most drilled counties right now — 728 permits approved in the last 24 months and activity accelerating.
- 728
- Permits · 24 mo
- 47
- Rigs running
- 36,249
- Wells on record
- 21.3%
- Avg lease royalty
up 262% vs prior 24 months
as of 2026-05-23
recorded leases, 5 yrs
Who's drilling Eddy County
Operators ranked by drilling permits approved in the 24 months ending 2026-05-23.
| Operator | Permits · 24 mo |
|---|---|
| Exxon | 169 |
| Devon | 151 |
| Permian Resources | 100 |
| Mewbourne Oil | 64 |
| Matador Resources | 46 |
What the record says
Eddy County recorded 728 drilling permits in the 24 months ending 2026-05-23, against 201 in the prior 24 months. Development here is overwhelmingly horizontal (99% of recent permits, averaging 8,749-foot laterals) — modern pad development that drains whole sections at a time. Activity centers on the Delaware basin.
Leasing has kept pace: 2,244 leases were recorded in the county over the last 24 months, with recent recorded leases averaging about 21.3% 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.
Eddy County mineral rights FAQ
Who is drilling in Eddy County, New Mexico?
The most active operators by permits approved in the last 24 months are Exxon, Devon, Permian Resources. The full table above lists the top five with permit counts.
What royalty are leases paying in Eddy County?
Recorded leases over the past five years in Eddy County average about 21.3% 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 Eddy County?
Start with the Eddy 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 Eddy County?
Mineral Eagle links every permit above to the owners it affects — name by name, with the records to back it up.