Oil and gas formations and plays
Mineral value depends on the rock. These are the major oil and gas formations we cover, with public USGS and state survey geology and an honest value frame for owners. Resource figures describe the play as a whole, never a per-acre yield.
Last updated June 2026.
Why does the formation under my land matter?
Mineral value depends heavily on which formation produces under your land. A thick, stacked shale like the Wolfcamp supports many wells and high values, while a mature conventional interval pays a smaller, steadier check. Find your formation below for its geology and what it means for your minerals. Every figure is an estimate subject to verification.
Williston Basin
Haynesville Shale
Permian Basin
Anadarko Basin
Appalachian Basin
DJ Basin
Fort Worth Basin
Hugoton Gas Area
Eagle Ford / Austin Chalk
Haynesville / Cotton Valley
Eagle Ford Shale
Questions about formations and plays
- What is a formation or play in oil and gas?
- A formation is a distinct rock layer that holds oil or gas, like the Wolfcamp or the Bakken. A play is the broader area where a formation is developed. Mineral value depends heavily on which formation produces under your land, because different rocks pay very differently.
- Does a formation resource estimate tell me what my minerals are worth?
- No. USGS resource estimates describe undiscovered, technically recoverable oil and gas for an entire play, not proven reserves and not a per-acre value. Your minerals are valued on the income your wells actually pay, roughly 36 to 72 times your average monthly royalty check. This is an estimate, not an offer.
- Which formation produces under my minerals?
- Your royalty statement names the operator and often the field or unit, and your county page lists the producing formations there. In the Permian that is usually the Wolfcamp or Bone Spring; in the Williston the Bakken or Three Forks; in northwest Louisiana the Haynesville or Bossier; in central Oklahoma the Woodford SCOOP or Meramec STACK.
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