Major Operators in Oklahoma, Texas, and North Dakota
If you own mineral rights, the name on your royalty check is an operator. Knowing who the major operators are in your state, and what kind of company they are, helps you understand the drilling landscape and set expectations for payments, communication, and future activity.
This is a snapshot, not an exhaustive list. Operators change through acquisitions, mergers, and asset sales. Check your state's oil and gas commission for the most current operator data.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a mix of large independents, mid-size companies, and thousands of small operators running older conventional wells.
Major active operators:
- Continental Resources: one of the largest operators in Oklahoma, focused on the SCOOP and STACK plays. Founded by Harold Hamm.
- Devon Energy: headquartered in Oklahoma City, active in the STACK and other Oklahoma plays.
- ConocoPhillips: active in the STACK and other Oklahoma plays, including operations acquired from Marathon Oil in 2024.
- Validus Energy (which acquired Citizen Energy): a significant operator in Oklahoma's conventional and horizontal plays.
- Unit Corporation, Canvas Energy (formerly Chaparral Energy), and Gulfport Energy: mid-size operators with significant Oklahoma positions.
Oklahoma also has thousands of small operators running one to a few dozen wells each, particularly in mature areas outside the major horizontal plays.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission website lists the current operator for every well in the state.
Texas
Texas has the most diverse operator landscape in the country, with activity in the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, and dozens of smaller plays.
Major active operators:
- Pioneer Natural Resources (now part of ExxonMobil): dominant in the Permian Basin Midland sub-basin.
- Diamondback Energy: one of the largest Permian Basin operators.
- ConocoPhillips: active in the Permian, Eagle Ford, and other Texas plays.
- EOG Resources: headquartered in Houston, active across Texas.
- Chevron and ExxonMobil: the supermajors both have massive Permian Basin positions.
- Apache (now APA Corporation): long-time Texas operator, active in the Permian.
- Coterra Energy: active in the Permian and Marcellus.
The Texas Railroad Commission tracks every operator and well in the state.
North Dakota
North Dakota's operator landscape is dominated by companies focused on the Bakken and Three Forks formations in the Williston Basin.
Major active operators:
- Continental Resources: one of the largest Bakken operators and the company most associated with the Bakken boom.
- Chevron (formerly Hess Corporation): completed its acquisition of Hess in July 2025, making it one of the largest Bakken producers.
- ConocoPhillips: active in the Bakken, including operations acquired from Marathon Oil.
- Devon Energy: entered the Bakken through its $5 billion acquisition of Grayson Mill Energy's Williston Basin assets in 2024.
- Chord Energy (formerly Whiting Petroleum and Oasis Petroleum): a major Bakken operator that went through restructuring and emerged as a significant independent.
The North Dakota Department of Mineral Resources publishes well data and operator information.
When Operators Change
Oil and gas companies buy and sell assets constantly. Your operator today may not be your operator next year. When a company changes, you'll receive a new division order from the acquiring operator. Check that your decimal interest carried over correctly.
Major acquisitions in recent years have reshuffled the operator landscape significantly. Keeping track of who currently operates your wells is one of the practical benefits of maintaining organized records.