If you’ve ever wondered how deep oil wells go in Texas, the answer is: it depends on the location and type of well. Texas is home to some of the shallowest and deepest oil wells in the U.S., ranging from just a few hundred feet to over 30,000 feet deep.
The depth of an oil well affects drilling costs, production potential, and the type of oil or gas extracted. Some wells strike shallow, easy-to-access oil, while others drill deep into the Earth’s crust to reach massive reservoirs of crude oil and natural gas.
Let’s break it all down.
Average Depth of Oil Wells in Texas
Most oil wells in Texas fall within these general depth ranges:
| Type of Well | Average Depth | Depth Range |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow Wells | 1,000 – 5,000 feet | 500 – 8,000 feet |
| Conventional Wells | 5,000 – 15,000 feet | 3,000 – 20,000 feet |
| Deep Wells | 15,000 – 25,000 feet | 10,000 – 30,000+ feet |
The depth depends on the specific oil field, geology, and drilling technology used.
Depths by Major Oil Fields in Texas
Texas is home to some of the most productive oil fields in the world, and each basin has different depth characteristics.
1. Permian Basin (West Texas & New Mexico)
- Depth Range: 5,000 – 15,000 feet
- Average Well Depth: ~10,000 feet
- Why It Matters: This is one of the largest oil fields in the world, responsible for about 40% of U.S. oil production.
The Permian Basin contains multiple layers of oil-rich rock, allowing for both conventional vertical drilling and horizontal fracking to maximize production.
2. Eagle Ford Shale (South Texas)
- Depth Range: 4,000 – 14,000 feet
- Average Well Depth: ~8,000 feet
- Why It Matters: One of the top shale oil plays in Texas, known for its high-quality light crude oil.
Wells in the Eagle Ford are typically shallower than those in the Permian, but they still require advanced horizontal drilling techniques.
3. Barnett Shale (North Texas – Fort Worth Basin)
- Depth Range: 6,500 – 8,500 feet
- Average Well Depth: ~7,500 feet
- Why It Matters: One of the first major shale gas plays, famous for pioneering hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in the early 2000s.
Though not as deep as the Permian, Barnett wells require fracking to release natural gas trapped in shale formations.
4. Haynesville Shale (East Texas & Louisiana)
- Depth Range: 10,000 – 14,000 feet
- Average Well Depth: ~12,000 feet
- Why It Matters: One of the deepest shale formations in the U.S., primarily producing natural gas.
Haynesville wells tend to be more expensive to drill due to their depth, but they produce large amounts of natural gas.
5. Gulf Coast & Offshore Wells
- Depth Range: 5,000 – 30,000+ feet
- Average Well Depth: 12,000 – 25,000 feet
- Why It Matters: Texas offshore drilling targets deepwater oil reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Offshore wells are the deepest and most expensive to drill, often requiring ultra-deepwater rigs and specialized equipment.
Shallow vs. Deep Oil Wells – Why Depth Matters
| Factor | Shallow Wells (<8,000 feet) | Deep Wells (>10,000 feet) |
|---|---|---|
| Drilling Cost | Lower ($500k – $3M per well) | Higher ($5M – $50M per well) |
| Oil Quality | Heavier, lower API gravity oil | Lighter, high-quality crude |
| Production Life | Shorter (10-20 years) | Longer (20-50 years) |
| Extraction Method | Simple vertical drilling | Horizontal drilling & fracking |
Deeper wells usually cost more but produce higher volumes of oil or gas over a longer period.
What Is the Deepest Oil Well in Texas?
The deepest onshore oil well in Texas is around 30,000 feet deep, drilled in the Haynesville Shale. Some offshore wells in the Gulf of Mexico exceed 35,000 feet, making them among the deepest in the world.
How Does Oil Well Depth Affect Investment Costs?
Drilling an oil well is not cheap, and the depth significantly impacts the total cost.
- Shallow Wells (<8,000 feet): $500,000 – $3 million
- Mid-Depth Wells (8,000 – 15,000 feet): $3 – $10 million
- Deep Wells (15,000+ feet): $10 – $50+ million
The deeper you drill, the more expensive it gets, due to:
✅ Stronger drilling equipment needed to withstand pressure
✅ Increased labor costs and time to drill
✅ More complex casing and cementing to protect the wellbore
This is why horizontal drilling and fracking have become so popular—rather than drilling deeper, companies drill sideways to access more oil at lower costs.
Final Thoughts – How Deep Are Oil Wells in Texas?
Texas has some of the shallowest and deepest oil wells in the U.S., ranging from 1,000 feet to over 30,000 feet.
- The Permian Basin averages 10,000 feet.
- The Eagle Ford Shale is 8,000 feet deep.
- The deepest wells (30,000+ feet) are found in the Haynesville Shale and offshore Gulf of Mexico.
Understanding well depth is crucial for anyone investing in oil because it affects costs, production, and long-term profitability. Whether you’re a landowner, investor, or just curious about the industry, knowing how deep Texas oil wells go gives you a better understanding of oil production and its challenges.