Oil and gas leasing activity remains busy in Natchitoches Parish with 41 more leases filed in February following the 39 that were filed in January, bringing the total to 80 leases in the first two months of 2026.
The size of the leases ranged from less than two acres to one lease that covered more than 1,200 acres, demonstrating the varied acquisition strategies being employed across the parish.
Most of the leases are still concentrated from Interstate 49 west along Highway 6 to the Sabine Parish line. The leases continue to show up near Posey Road and Shady Grove Road and as far north as the Spanish Lake bottoms. In February, some recorded leases were also just south of Robeline and along Collins Road.
A different leasing area showed up for the first time in a year when three leases just outside of Ashland were recorded, marking a geographic expansion beyond the traditional western concentration areas that dominated 2025 activity.
Another significant oil and gas related action was that dozens of letters went out concerning seismic 3D graphing for a 300-square-mile area across Natchitoches Parish and into Sabine Parish. This seismic survey work typically precedes drilling operations and suggests operators are conducting detailed subsurface mapping to identify optimal drilling locations.
There is still some active drilling and production in the northwestern portion of the parish, continuing the transition from leasing to actual development that began in late 2025.
The combined leasing activity brings the total to 485 leases filed since January 2025, positioning Natchitoches Parish as one of Louisiana’s most active energy markets. The expansion into new areas like Ashland, coupled with large-scale seismic surveying, indicates that 2026 may see broadened development activity across the parish.
Landowners approached with lease offers or seismic survey requests are strongly encouraged to seek counsel from qualified oil and gas attorneys before signing any documents. These agreements can have long-term consequences for mineral rights, surface rights and property use.
A review of Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court records confirms the 41 leases filed in February 2026. The NPJ obtained this information directly from the parish’s online Public Records system.
