Mineral rights in Ohio County, West Virginia
Ohio County sees steady, selective drilling — 11 permits over the last 24 months, cooling versus the prior period.
- 11
- Permits · 24 mo
- 16.7%
- Avg lease royalty
down 39% vs prior 24 months
recorded leases, 5 yrs
Who's drilling Ohio County
Operators ranked by drilling permits approved in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09.
| Operator | Permits · 24 mo |
|---|---|
| Expand Energy | 11 |
What the record says
Ohio County recorded 11 drilling permits in the 24 months ending 2026-06-09, against 18 in the prior 24 months. Development here is overwhelmingly horizontal (100% of recent permits) — modern pad development that drains whole sections at a time. Most activity targets the Marcellus play of the Appalachian basin.
Leasing has kept pace: 1,578 leases were recorded in the county over the last 24 months, with recent recorded leases averaging about 16.7% 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.
Ohio County mineral rights FAQ
Who is drilling in Ohio County, West Virginia?
The most active operators by permits approved in the last 24 months are Expand Energy. The full table above lists the top five with permit counts.
What royalty are leases paying in Ohio County?
Recorded leases over the past five years in Ohio County average about 16.7% 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 Ohio County?
Start with the Ohio 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 Ohio County?
Mineral Eagle links every permit above to the owners it affects — name by name, with the records to back it up.