Texas Mineral Rights by County: Which Areas Are Worth the Most in 2025?

Not all Texas mineral rights are created equal. The value of mineral rights in Texas varies dramatically by county, driven by the underlying geology, current drilling activity, and proximity to producing formations. If you own mineral rights in Texas — or have inherited them — knowing your county’s market position is essential to understanding what you have.

Here’s a county-by-county breakdown of the major mineral rights markets in Texas for 2025.

Permian Basin: The Highest-Value Mineral Rights in Texas

The Permian Basin covers much of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, and it is by far the most active and valuable mineral rights market in the state. The basin produces more oil than any other region in the United States, and mineral rights here consistently trade at the highest prices.

Midland County

The epicenter of Permian Basin activity. Midland County mineral rights are among the most sought-after in the country. Producing rights here can easily trade at $15,000 to $35,000 per net mineral acre in active deals. Undeveloped rights in prime areas can still command $5,000 to $15,000+ per NMA. The Wolfcamp and Spraberry formations in Midland County have driven some of the highest per-acre values in the state.

Reeves County

Located in the Delaware Basin side of the Permian, Reeves County has seen explosive activity over the past decade thanks to the Wolfcamp, Bone Spring, and Delaware formations. This county is home to some of the deepest and most prolific wells in the Permian. Mineral rights values in Reeves can rival or exceed Midland County in the hottest areas, often ranging from $8,000 to $25,000+ per NMA for producing rights.

Martin County

Martin County sits in the heart of the Midland Basin and has some of the best rock quality in the entire Permian. Major operators like Pioneer Natural Resources (now ExxonMobil) have concentrated significant acreage here. Mineral rights owners in Martin County benefit from some of the highest initial production rates in the basin. Values typically range from $10,000 to $30,000 per NMA for quality producing positions.

Howard County

Another strong performer in the Midland Basin, Howard County has seen significant drilling investment. Typical producing mineral rights values range from $8,000 to $20,000 per NMA, with strong interest from buyers throughout the market cycle.

Lea and Eddy County (New Mexico Permian)

While technically in New Mexico, these counties are often compared to Reeves and Culberson in terms of value. Texas mineral owners in Culberson and Loving counties see similar market dynamics — extremely active with values often exceeding $10,000 to $20,000 per NMA.

Eagle Ford Shale: South Texas’ Most Active Play

The Eagle Ford Shale stretches across South Texas in a band from the Mexican border northeast through the San Antonio area. While it was the hottest play in the country from 2010 to 2015, activity has moderated but remains steady in the best counties.

LaSalle County

LaSalle County is in the oily window of the Eagle Ford and has seen consistent development activity. Mineral rights values here typically range from $3,000 to $10,000 per NMA for producing positions in active areas.

Webb County

Webb County (home to Laredo) sits in a gassier portion of the Eagle Ford but also has significant oil activity in some areas. Values tend to range from $1,500 to $6,000 per NMA depending on the specific location and production status.

Karnes County

Karnes is considered the best oil-producing county in the Eagle Ford, with some of the highest initial production rates in the play. Mineral rights values in Karnes can reach $6,000 to $15,000 per NMA in prime producing areas.

Barnett Shale: North Texas’ Legacy Play

The Barnett Shale in the Fort Worth Basin was the first major shale gas play developed in the US. Activity has slowed significantly as operators have shifted capital to oilier plays, but there are still active areas — particularly where natural gas prices are favorable.

Tarrant and Johnson County

These counties are home to the most active portions of the Barnett Shale. Mineral rights values are generally lower than the Permian or Eagle Ford, typically ranging from $500 to $3,000 per NMA. Values are sensitive to natural gas prices and operator activity.

How to Find Out What Your County’s Mineral Rights Are Worth

County-level benchmarks give you a starting point, but every mineral rights position is unique. Your specific location within a county, whether you have a producing well, your royalty rate, and current market conditions all affect what a buyer will pay.

The fastest way to get a customized estimate for your Texas mineral rights is to use our free Texas Mineral Rights Calculator. Enter your county, your net mineral acreage, and your production information, and you’ll get an estimated value range in under 2 minutes — completely free and with no obligation.

If your minerals are in one of the high-value counties above, getting an accurate valuation before you take any action is especially important. Mineral rights buyers in these areas are aggressive and sophisticated — you need to be informed to negotiate effectively.