Grit Oil & Gas Management LLC, a Texas-based oil and gas exploration company, is making a big bet on Maverick County. The company has filed 14 new horizontal drill permit applications for the county in the week of April 3, according to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). This move makes Grit the most active company in the recent South Texas Drilling Permit Roundup. From the 14 planned wells, eight have been approved for an area located 26 miles southwest of Carrizo Springs. The remaining six wells, located 18 miles southwest of Carrizo Springs, are currently being mapped. All 14 wells will be drilled to total depths of 3,999 feet.

Total depth refers to the length of pipeline required for the vertical and horizontal sections of a well. The other companies that filed the highest number of applications this week were Murphy Exploring & Prod. Co. – USA and Verdun Oil & Gas LLC, which filed four applications each. Verdun’s planned oil wells are located 7 miles northeast of Los Angeles, Texas, in La Salle County and will be drilled to total depths of 9,000 feet. Murphy’s oil wells, planned for 6.3 miles northeast of Tilden in McMullen County, will be drilled to a total depth of 13,000 feet. All of Murphy’s drill permit applications are approved. Three of Verdun’s four applications are approved, and one is being mapped.

Interestingly, EOG Resources Inc., a major player in the Eagle Ford Shale last month, has scaled back its operations this week, filing only two new drill permit applications in Webb County. Meanwhile, Karnes County, which saw 28 drilling applications filed by several oil and gas companies over the past two weeks, did not make the Texas RCC’s list this week.

Overall oil and gas production in Maverick County has taken a hit this year, according to Texas-Drilling.com. The production has plummeted from 1.2 million BBLs and 3.9 million MCFs in 2022 to 36,077 BBLS and 85,817 MCFs in 2023. However, despite this dip, Grit Oil & Gas Management LLC remains optimistic about the prospects of Maverick County.

In conclusion, Grit Oil & Gas Management LLC’s 14 new horizontal drill permit applications in Maverick County represent a significant investment in the region. While the county has experienced a decline in oil and gas production, Grit’s move suggests that the company sees potential in the area. It remains to be seen how this gamble will play out, but for now, Grit is leading the pack in the recent South Texas Drilling Permit Roundup.