Oil and gas wells in Norton County
1,481 wells — 0.3% of the Kansas register. 3 were plugged at public expense, and 18 sit inactive.
1,481Wells
3730 ftMedian depth
3Plugged by the State
18Inactive
What stands out in Norton County
The operator named on most of these records is Jones, Shelburne, and Farmer, INC, on 83 of them (5.6%), ahead of Baird Oil Company LLC (81) and Dane G. Hansen Trust (62). The oldest well here was completed in 1936 and the most recent in 2026, and the deepest reaches 4216 feet — E. Bredfelt 1, drilled in 1984.
| Measurement | Median | 90th percentile | Kansas median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total depth | 3730 ft | 3901 ft | 2831 ft — deeper here |
What happened to these wells — in Norton County
1,121 of the 1,481 wells in Norton County are classed as plugged and abandoned. 3 were plugged at the State’s expense because no responsible party could be found, and 18 sit on the register as inactive — neither producing nor plugged.
⚠️ Two fields in this register disagree, and we show both rather than pick one: across Kansas, 245,220 wells are classed as plugged but 92,867 of them carry no plugging date, while 26,002 wells carry a date under another class. Here, 720 of these wells have a date on file. What each class means.
Who operates in Norton County
| Operator of record | Wells | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Jones, Shelburne, and Farmer, INC | 83 | 5.6% |
| Baird Oil Company LLC | 81 | 5.5% |
| Dane G. Hansen Trust | 62 | 4.2% |
| Black Diamond Oil, INC | 55 | 3.7% |
| R.p. Nixon Operations | 54 | 3.6% |
| Hummon Corp | 48 | 3.2% |
| Cities Service CO | 39 | 2.6% |
| Ritchie Exploration, INC | 39 | 2.6% |
| Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | 37 | 2.5% |
| Harry Gore | 26 | 1.8% |
| John O. Farmer, INC | 23 | 1.6% |
| Great Plains Energy, INC | 20 | 1.4% |
| F & M Oil | 18 | 1.2% |
| Leben Et Al | 15 | 1.0% |
| Empire Drlg | 14 | 0.9% |
| Ozark Enterprises | 13 | 0.9% |
| Pioneer Resources | 12 | 0.8% |
| Fourwinds Oil Corporation | 12 | 0.8% |
The operator of record is the one the register names. It is not necessarily the one there today, and it is not a judgement on anyone.
Which oil fields
| Field | Wells | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Wildcat | 397 | 26.8% |
| Unknown | 254 | 17.2% |
| Norton | 176 | 11.9% |
| Ray West | 118 | 8.0% |
| Densmore | 85 | 5.7% |
| Ray | 43 | 2.9% |
| Unnamed | 33 | 2.2% |
| Hansen Estate | 22 | 1.5% |
| Harting | 21 | 1.4% |
| Hansen Estate Northwest | 16 | 1.1% |
| Hen | 14 | 0.9% |
| Red Fox | 14 | 0.9% |
| Hewitt | 13 | 0.9% |
| Mod | 13 | 0.9% |
When they were drilled
| Decade | Wells | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 33 | 2.2% |
| 2010s | 234 | 15.8% |
| 2000s | 99 | 6.7% |
| 1990s | 43 | 2.9% |
| 1980s | 222 | 15.0% |
| 1970s | 128 | 8.6% |
| 1960s | 168 | 11.3% |
| 1950s | 387 | 26.1% |
| 1940s | 59 | 4.0% |
An old well on land in Norton County?
3 wells in Norton County were plugged at the State’s expense, out of 1,481 on the register — the sign that an operator was gone. If you find a well on your land, report it and do not tidy it up: knocking over casing can make you the responsible party. This site reads the register; it does not plug wells. Tell us where and we pass the request to Kansas operators and consultants.
We recommend nobody and we are nobody's agent. We have no arrangement with any firm today — we are collecting these requests in order to go and find them. What we do with this.
Wells in Norton County
| Lease and well | Operator | Field | Depth (ft) | Year | Plugged |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grunert 2 API 15-137-20165-0002 | Viking Resources | Hen Northwest | 3602 | 1985 | State |
| Fedde 1 API 15-137-20342 | Viking Resources | Hen Northwest | 3592 | 1984 | State |
| Schuck A-2 API 15-137-20552 | A & A Discovery, LLC | — | 3809 | — | State |
| Six B 3b 1 API 15-137-20777 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Unnamed | 3944 | 2026 | — |
| Lang-marx Unit 1 API 15-137-20778 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Unnamed | 3882 | 2026 | — |
| Schaben 22bc 1 API 15-137-20449-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | — | 3750 | 2026 | — |
| Circle Ranch 34b 1 API 15-137-20543-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | — | 3750 | 2026 | — |
| Ks Brand 7 API 15-137-20775 | Fourwinds Oil Corporation | Ray West | 3656 | 2025 | — |
| Minks-griffey Unit 1 API 15-137-20770 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | — | 3894 | 2024 | — |
| Juenemann A 1 API 15-137-20771 | Castle Resources, INC | — | 3715 | 2024 | — |
| Glennemeier A 4 API 15-137-20768 | Fourwinds Oil Corporation | West Union | 3676 | 2023 | — |
| Slipke Unit 1 API 15-137-20541-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | — | 3850 | 2023 | — |
| Mindrup 1 Owwo API 15-137-00082-0002 | Arcadian Resources, LLC | — | 3763 | 2023 | — |
| Mindrup 3 Owwo API 15-137-00323-0002 | Arcadian Resources, LLC | — | 3711 | 2023 | — |
| Ninemire 31ad 1 API 15-137-20581-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | — | 3825 | 2022 | — |
| Kemper B 3 API 15-137-20760 | Fourwinds Oil Corporation | Ray West | 3625 | 2022 | — |
| Norton #5 1 API 15-137-20764 | Midwest Energy, INC | — | 180 | 2022 | — |
| Norton #3 1 API 15-137-20759 | Midwest Energy, INC | — | 183 | 2021 | — |
| Schaben 22ad 1 API 15-137-20433-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | — | 3735 | 2021 | — |
| Watson 1-31 API 15-137-20755 | L. D. Drilling, INC | Voss Northwest | 3760 | 2020 | — |
| Schaben 22bc 3 API 15-137-20478-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | — | 3580 | 2020 | — |
| Henry 4 API 15-137-20750 | R. P. Nixon Operations, INC | Norton | 3740 | 2019 | — |
| Glennemeier B 1 API 15-137-20751 | Fourwinds Oil Corporation | Ray West | 3714 | 2019 | — |
| Kemper 1 A API 15-137-00558-0001 | Texkan Resources, LLC | — | 3647 | 2019 | — |
| Mindrup 2 API 15-137-00568-0001 | Arcadian Resources, LLC | Norton | 3728 | 2019 | — |
| Mindrup 7 API 15-137-00572-0001 | Arcadian Resources, LLC | Norton | 3682 | 2019 | — |
| Ks Brand 5 API 15-137-20752 | Fourwinds Oil Corporation | Ray West | 3614 | 2019 | — |
| Schuckman Et Al 1-17 API 15-137-20743 | Samuel Gary Jr. & Associates, INC | Wildcat | 3831 | 2017 | — |
| Hildebrand 1-15 API 15-137-20744 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc, INC | Mod | 3681 | 2017 | — |
| Glennemeier 'a' 2 API 15-137-20727 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | West Union | 3650 | 2015 | — |
| Glennemeier 'a' 3 API 15-137-20730 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | West Union | 3654 | 2015 | — |
| Ks Brand 1 API 15-137-20731 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray West | 3588 | 2015 | — |
| Harting 1 API 15-137-20732 | White Exploration, INC | Wildcat | 3800 | 2015 | — |
| Ks Brand 2 API 15-137-20733 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray West | 3720 | 2015 | — |
| Rule 1-31 API 15-137-20674 | Blue Ridge Petroleum Corp | Wildcat | 3747 | 2014 | — |
| Horning 'a' 3 API 15-137-20680 | John O. Farmer, INC | Norton | 3820 | 2014 | — |
| Belden Unit 1 API 15-137-20682 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Hansen Estate Northwest | 3665 | 2014 | — |
| Kemper B (unit) 2 API 15-137-20683 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray West | 3626 | 2014 | — |
| Clydesdale 1-10 API 15-137-20687 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Mod Northeast | 3860 | 2014 | — |
| Kemper 2 API 15-137-20689 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray West | 3609 | 2014 | — |
| Neurnberger 1-1 API 15-137-20691 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3932 | 2014 | — |
| Pxp #59 #1 API 15-137-20692 | Tallgrass Interstate Gas Transmission, LLC | — | 300 | 2014 | — |
| Hazlett Et Al 1-26 API 15-137-20698 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3951 | 2014 | — |
| Jmnj Farm 1-2 API 15-137-20700 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3954 | 2014 | — |
| Don Et Al 1-6 API 15-137-20705 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3907 | 2014 | — |
| Wagoner 1-2 API 15-137-20708 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3969 | 2014 | — |
| F&r Realty 1-12 API 15-137-20712 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Lenora | 3915 | 2014 | — |
| Wagoner 2-2 API 15-137-20716 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 4000 | 2014 | — |
| Jacobs Trust Et Al 1-9 API 15-137-20717 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3682 | 2014 | — |
| Glennemeier 'a' 1 API 15-137-20718 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Unnamed | 3701 | 2014 | — |
| Neurnberger 3-1 API 15-137-20719 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3913 | 2014 | — |
| Marian Et Al 1-1 API 15-137-20720-0001 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Lenora | 3945 | 2014 | — |
| Don Et Al 1-6 API 15-137-20705-0001 | Samuel Gary Jr. & Associates, INC | — | 3907 | 2014 | — |
| S&w 1 API 15-137-20622 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Hansen Estate Northwest | 3703 | 2013 | — |
| Kemper 1 API 15-137-20626 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray West | 3594 | 2013 | — |
| Kemper 'a' 1 API 15-137-20627 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray West | 3568 | 2013 | — |
| Williams Trust 1-19 API 15-137-20632 | Hartman Oil Co., INC | Solo | 3900 | 2013 | — |
| Lang 22d 1 API 15-137-20442-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Mod | 3765 | 2013 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch INC 1-27 API 15-137-20635 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox West | 3920 | 2013 | — |
| Anna 2-15 API 15-137-20637 | Baird Oil Company LLC | — | 3764 | 2013 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch INC 2-27 API 15-137-20640 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox West | 3929 | 2013 | — |
| Maddy-heaton Unit 1-5 API 15-137-20642 | Blue Ridge Petroleum Corp | Spring Draw Northwest | 3750 | 2013 | — |
| Schoen 'b' 9 API 15-137-20645 | John O. Farmer, INC | Norton | 3840 | 2013 | — |
| Lawson 'a' 10 API 15-137-20646 | John O. Farmer, INC | Norton | 3860 | 2013 | — |
| Sproul Et Al 1-26 API 15-137-20647 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Mod North | 3850 | 2013 | — |
| Hager-sproul 1-35 API 15-137-20651 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Mod North | 3882 | 2013 | — |
| Goings 1 API 15-137-20652 | Northern Lights Oil Co., LLC | Mod West | 3610 | 2013 | — |
| Persinger Farms 1-1 API 15-137-20653 | Red Oak Energy, INC | Norton | 3874 | 2013 | — |
| Hager Trust 2-35 API 15-137-20655 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3850 | 2013 | — |
| John Henry 1-26 API 15-137-20656 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3860 | 2013 | — |
| Hager Trust 1-11 API 15-137-20657 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3860 | 2013 | — |
| Kemper 'b' 1 API 15-137-20666 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray West | 3619 | 2013 | — |
| C D Lawson 2 API 15-137-19006-0001 | T & C Mfg. & Operating, INC | Norton | 1735 | 2013 | — |
| Brooks 1-19 API 15-137-20659-0001 | Hartman Oil Co., INC | Unnamed | 1562 | 2013 | — |
| Hager Trust Et Al 1-11 API 15-137-20676 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3830 | 2013 | — |
| Hardy 1-14 API 15-137-20677 | Samuel Gary Jr. and Assoc., INC | Wildcat | 3805 | 2013 | — |
| Juenemann 1 API 15-137-20678 | Castle Resources, INC | Wildcat | 3724 | 2013 | — |
| Schoen Swd 2-24 API 15-137-20249-0001 | Rl Investment, LLC | — | 2024 | 2013 | — |
| Brooks 34-11-3-25 API 15-137-20584 | Klabzuba Oil and Gas, INC | Clayton Northeast | 3975 | 2012 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch, INC 1-26 API 15-137-20602 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox | 3900 | 2012 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch, INC 2-26 API 15-137-20603 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox | 3863 | 2012 | — |
| Mckinley 1 API 15-137-20604 | Castle Resources, INC | Densmore South | 3805 | 2012 | — |
| Schoen 'a' 8 API 15-137-20607 | John O. Farmer, INC | Norton | 3880 | 2012 | — |
| Hazlett 1 API 15-137-20608 | Northern Lights Oil Co., LLC | Mod West | 3850 | 2012 | — |
| Wiltfong 1 API 15-137-00169-0001 | Great Plains Energy, INC | Wiltfong | 3700 | 2012 | — |
| Noone 9 Swd API 15-137-20611 | Gore Oil Company | Densmore | 1760 | 2012 | — |
| Moffett 3-32 API 15-137-20621 | Great Plains Energy, INC | Wildcat | 3679 | 2012 | — |
| Carr-sneed 'b' 2 API 15-137-19007-0001 | T & C Mfg. & Operating, INC | Norton | 1735 | 2012 | — |
| Wyrill 'p' 2 API 15-137-20288-0002 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Norham | 4041 | 2012 | — |
| Slipke Unit 1 API 15-137-20541 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Slipke | 3850 | 2011 | — |
| Circle Ranch 34b 1 API 15-137-20543 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Norham North | 3750 | 2011 | — |
| States Ag 1-36 API 15-137-20544 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Wildcat | 3595 | 2011 | — |
| Pxp #62 1 API 15-137-20547 | Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC | — | 260 | 2011 | — |
| Minks 33ad 3 API 15-137-20545 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Tomanek Northwest | 3910 | 2011 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch, INC 3-35 API 15-137-20549 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox | 3845 | 2011 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch, INC 4-35 API 15-137-20550 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox | 3783 | 2011 | — |
| Sides/anna Unit 1-3 API 15-137-20553 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Hewitt Northwest | 3731 | 2011 | — |
| Anna 1-3 API 15-137-20557 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Hewitt Northwest | 3751 | 2011 | — |
| Sides 1-3 API 15-137-20559 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Hewitt Northwest | 3753 | 2011 | — |
| Nuttycomb-adee Unit 1-2 API 15-137-20567 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Hewitt Northwest | 3690 | 2011 | — |
| Moffet 1-32 API 15-137-20573 | Great Plains Energy, INC | Wildcat | 3640 | 2011 | — |
| Kemper 4 API 15-137-20574 | Pioneer Resources | Ray West | 3700 | 2011 | — |
| Wagoner 3 API 15-137-20576 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Wagner | 3653 | 2011 | — |
| States Ag 2-36 API 15-137-20577 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | State | 3500 | 2011 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch, INC 5-35 API 15-137-20578 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox | 3812 | 2011 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch INC 7-35 API 15-137-20580 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Red Fox | 3831 | 2011 | — |
| Ninemire 'ad' 31-1 API 15-137-20581 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Slipke West | 3825 | 2011 | — |
| Arndt 2-34 API 15-137-20582 | American Energies Corp | — | 3816 | 2011 | — |
| Fought 8 API 15-137-20586 | John O. Farmer, INC | Norton | 3797 | 2011 | — |
| Kemper 2 API 15-137-20511 | Pioneer Resources | Ray West | 3670 | 2010 | — |
| Cb 2-24 API 15-137-20517 | Crawford Oil & Gas CO LLC | Cactus Creek | 3696 | 2010 | — |
| Kemper 3 API 15-137-20518 | Pioneer Resources | Ray West | 3775 | 2010 | — |
| Schemper-kats Unit 1-6 API 15-137-20519 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3857 | 2010 | — |
| Schemper-kats Unit 3-6 API 15-137-20522 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3798 | 2010 | — |
| Schemper-kats Unit 2-6 API 15-137-20521 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3847 | 2010 | — |
| Baird 1 API 15-137-20527 | Pioneer Resources | Wildcat | 3678 | 2010 | — |
| Arndt 1-34 API 15-137-20532 | American Energies Corp | Harting Northwest | 3824 | 2010 | — |
| Retke Rfi-1 API 15-137-20534 | Ryholland Felder, INC | Retke | 3620 | 2010 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch, INC 1-35 API 15-137-20535 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3762 | 2010 | — |
| Esslinger-graham Unit 1-36 API 15-137-20537 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3780 | 2010 | — |
| Retke Rfi-2 API 15-137-20539 | Ryholland Felder, INC | Retke | 3535 | 2010 | — |
| Esslinger Ranch, INC 2-35 API 15-137-20540 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3828 | 2010 | — |
| Jansonius 1-23 API 15-137-20502 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Unnamed | 3728 | 2009 | — |
| Kemper 1 API 15-137-20503 | Pioneer Resources | Wildcat | 3683 | 2009 | — |
| Adee 2-14 API 15-137-20505 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3735 | 2009 | — |
| Adee 3-14 API 15-137-20506 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Big Dutchman East | 3628 | 2009 | — |
| Wagoner 2 API 15-137-20507 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Hansen Estate Northwest | 3710 | 2009 | — |
| Harting 1-11 API 15-137-20509 | American Energies Corp | Harting South | 3720 | 2009 | — |
| Wyrill-circle 1 API 15-137-20475 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Norham | 3800 | 2008 | — |
| Wyrill 1-36 API 15-137-20476 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray | 1779 | 2008 | — |
| Shulte 2 API 15-137-20477 | Great Plains Energy, INC | Wildcat | 3835 | 2008 | — |
| Schaben 22bc 3 API 15-137-20478 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Mod | 3580 | 2008 | — |
| Mulder 1 API 15-137-20440-0001 | Clipper Energy LLC | Ray West | 3685 | 2008 | — |
| Griffey 1 API 15-137-20483 | Northern Lights Oil Co., LLC | Wildcat | 3778 | 2008 | — |
| Veh 1-15 API 15-137-20485 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3650 | 2008 | — |
| Veh 2-15 API 15-137-20486 | Baird Oil Company LLC | Wildcat | 3638 | 2008 | — |
| Schneider 1 API 15-137-20495 | Clipper Energy, LLC | Ray West | 3700 | 2008 | — |
| Kemper 1 API 15-137-20496 | Clipper Energy, LLC | Ray West | 3758 | 2008 | — |
| Minks 33ad 1 API 15-137-20460-0001 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Toronto West | 3920 | 2008 | — |
| Adee 1 API 15-137-20499 | Bach Oil Production, INC | Wildcat | 3724 | 2008 | — |
| Schaben 22ad 2 API 15-137-20459 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Mod | 3660 | 2007 | — |
| Wyrill 6 API 15-137-00598-0002 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray | 3658 | 2007 | — |
| Griffey, Artha 1 API 15-137-20376-0002 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Kemper Northeast | 3900 | 2007 | — |
| Schaben 22bc 1 API 15-137-20449 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Mod | 3750 | 2006 | — |
| Legere 1-32 API 15-137-20454 | Vincent Oil Corp | Wildcat | 3900 | 2006 | — |
| Tien Unit 1 API 15-137-20455 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Wildcat | 3775 | 2006 | — |
| Schaben 22bc 2 API 15-137-20457 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Mod | 3860 | 2006 | — |
| Wyrill 1 API 15-137-00596-0001 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Ray | 3605 | 2006 | — |
| Minks 33ad 1 API 15-137-20460 | Ritchie Exploration, INC | Wildcat | 3920 | 2006 | — |
| Wagoner 1 API 15-137-20431 | Black Diamond Oil, INC | Wildcat | 3691 | 2005 | — |
Counties with a comparable register
- Decatur 1,980
- Logan 1,935
- Rawlins 1,867
- Leavenworth 1,833
- Cheyenne 1,791
- Scott 1,731
- Saline 1,588
- Hamilton 1,413
- Ford 1,384
- Thomas 1,383
- Chase 1,340
- Lyon 1,202
- Morris 1,030
Neighbours by the size of their register, not a ranking: the list slides with the county, so each of the 82 county pages is reachable from the others. All of them.