Elk County, KS oil and gas wells
5,457 wells: 563 active, 2,900 plugged, 146 orphaned, run by 168 operators.
Elk County, KS ranks #31 among Kansas counties by wells on record, with 1% of the state's 519,691 wells. 563 of its wells (10%) are active, below the statewide share of 21%. Another 186 are shut in or temporarily abandoned. 146 wells are flagged as orphaned, with no responsible operator. Of the 4,192 wells here with a type on record, 50% are oil wells, 27% dry holes and 12% disposal or injection wells. Drilling records here go back to 1895. Of the 2,684 wells with a drilling date, 53 (2%) were drilled in 2016 or later, the most recent in 2026. 184 wells are listed as permitted or being drilled. 353 wells have been plugged since 2016 (counting wells with a plug date on record). Wells with a recorded depth average 1,602 ft. 168 operators have wells here. The largest by active wells is Z & L Oil LLC, with 85 active (15% of the county's active wells).
Figures from the Kansas Geological Survey, updated 2026-10-09.
Top operators in Elk
Wells
Not plugged · All wells · Plugged · Orphaned
| Well | API / ID | Status | Type | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NATHAN VESTAL 9 | 15-049-21704 | Active | Oil | 🔒 Sign in free |
| NATHAN VESTAL 11 | 15-049-22037 | Active | Injection | 🔒 Sign in free |
| NATHAN VESTAL 12 | 15-049-22068 | Active | Oil | 🔒 Sign in free |
| NATHAN VESTAL 13 | 15-049-22519 | Active | Injection | 🔒 Sign in free |
| NATHAN VESTEL 2 | 15-049-19202 | Shut in | Gas | — |
| NATHAN VESTEL 2 | 15-049-19202-0001 | Active | Gas | 🔒 Sign in free |
| NEUBECKER 3 | 15-049-22015 | Active | Oil | — |
| NICHOLS 1 | 15-049-21331 | Shut in | Oil & gas | — |
| NICHOLS 2 | 15-049-21332 | Shut in | Oil & gas | — |
| NICHOLS 3 | 15-049-21333 | Shut in | Oil & gas | — |
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Elk County, KS well questions
How many oil and gas wells are in Elk County, KS?
5,457 wells are on record: 563 active, 186 shut in or temporarily abandoned and 2,900 plugged, with 146 flagged orphaned.
Who operates the most wells in Elk County, KS?
Z & L Oil LLC, with 85 active wells and 134 wells on record here. The table above lists the top operators.
Are new wells still being drilled in Elk County, KS?
Yes. 53 wells were drilled in 2016 or later, the most recent in 2026, and 184 more are permitted or being drilled.