Mineral rights in Williams County, North Dakota
Williams County is one of North Dakota's most drilled counties right now — 339 permits approved in the last 24 months and activity accelerating.
- 339
- Permits · 24 mo
- 7
- Rigs running
- 19.3%
- Avg lease royalty
up 1783% vs prior 24 months
as of 2026-06-09
recorded leases, 5 yrs
Who's drilling Williams County
Operators ranked by drilling permits approved in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09.
| Operator | Permits · 24 mo |
|---|---|
| Exxon | 78 |
| Chord Energy | 56 |
| Chevron | 55 |
| Phoenix Energy One, LLC | 47 |
| Devon | 41 |
What the record says
Williams County recorded 339 drilling permits in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09, against 18 in the prior 24 months. Development here is overwhelmingly horizontal (92% of recent permits, averaging 9,088-foot laterals) — modern pad development that drains whole sections at a time. Most activity targets the Bakken-Us play of the Williston basin.
Leasing has kept pace: 1,958 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.
Williams County mineral rights FAQ
Who is drilling in Williams County, North Dakota?
The most active operators by permits approved in the last 24 months are Exxon, Chord Energy, Chevron. The full table above lists the top five with permit counts.
What royalty are leases paying in Williams County?
Recorded leases over the past five years in Williams 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 Williams County?
Start with the Williams 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 Williams County?
Mineral Eagle links every permit above to the owners it affects — name by name, with the records to back it up.