West Virginia Mineral Radar → drilling permits

West Virginia drilling permits

Every drilling permit filed in West Virginia is public record. This is 3,249 of them — who is drilling, on what lease, in which county, and whether the well is horizontal — free, with no login. The newest filing on record here was made 2026-09-15.

The 250 most recent West Virginia drilling permits

Newest filing first, statewide. Open a permit for the survey tract, depth, field and location; open an operator to see everywhere it drills.

West Virginia drilling permits by county

The 30 counties with the most permits on record. Every county page lists its recent permits and active operators.

All 32 counties with drilling permits →

How many drilling permits are filed in West Virginia each month

Filings by month from the permit records we hold. The most recent month is partial — permits keep arriving.

Common questions

What is a West Virginia well permit?

It is the application an operator files with the West Virginia DEP Office of Oil and Gas before drilling. It names the operator, the lease, the county, the target field and depth, and says whether the well is horizontal. It is the earliest public signal that development is coming to an area.

Why does a horizontal permit matter if it is not on my land?

A horizontal well travels sideways underground and can produce minerals from a mile or more from the surface location shown on the permit. A permit filed on the tract next door can still be producing what you own. Every permit above shows whether it is horizontal.

How do I find out if someone filed a permit near my minerals?

Open your county above — every permit on record is listed there, newest first, free. If you would rather be told than check, we will watch one tract for you free and email you when a new permit is filed near it.