The last two weeks of 2025, the Clerk’s Office had an additional 29 Oil and Gas lease filed, said David Stamey, Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court. The recent files were still concentrated along LA Hwy 6 between Hagewood and the Sabine Parish line, with additional leases along the Shady Grove Road, along Hwy 485, along Collins Road and a couple in the Marthaville area. This round the lease size ranged from one half acre to over 160 acres.

Stamey added that this gas play and contracts related to it has resulted in millions of dollars of income to the land owners. He estimated that at least 75% of the owners were local residents and that results in a boom to the local economy. I know that everyone is hoping for drilling to begin in 2026 and that could result in jobs and more money in the local economy that is still trying to comeback from the mill closure.

Oil and gas exploration in Natchitoches Parish continues to accelerate, with over 29 new leases filed at the Parish Clerk of Court’s office since December 15, 2025.

These latest filings push the year-to-date total to over 409 leases recorded since January 1, 2025 reinforcing Natchitoches Parish’s expanding position within the Haynesville Shale region. Industry observers note that this level of sustained leasing reflects long-term confidence from operators rather than the short-lived surges seen in some neighboring areas earlier this year.

The last two weeks of 2025, the Clerk’s Office had an additional 29 Oil and Gas lease filed, said David Stamey, Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court.  The recent files were still concentrated along LA Hwy 6 between Hagewood and the Sabine Parish line, with additional leases along the Shady Grove Road, along Hwy 485, along Collins Road and a couple in the Marthaville area.  This round the lease size ranged from one half acre to over 160 acres.

Stamey added that this gas play and contracts related to it has resulted in millions of dollars of income to the land owners.  He estimated that at least 75% of the owners were local residents and that results in a boom to the local economy.  I know that everyone is hoping for drilling to begin in 2026 and that could result in jobs and more money in the local economy that is still trying to comeback from the mill closure.

Landowners approached with lease offers are strongly encouraged to seek counsel from qualified oil and gas attorneys before signing. Mineral leases can have long-term consequences for royalty structures, surface rights, and future development activity. Proper legal guidance remains essential for protecting property rights.

A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records shows that over 29  new leases have been filed since December 15, 2025. The NPJ obtained this list directly from the parish’s online public records system.