Rice County, KS oil and gas wells
10,893 wells: 1,560 active, 8,462 plugged, 6 orphaned, run by 457 operators.
Rice County, KS ranks #17 among Kansas counties by wells on record, with 2% of the state's 519,691 wells. 1,560 of its wells (14%) are active, below the statewide share of 21%. Another 163 are shut in or temporarily abandoned. 6 wells are flagged as orphaned, with no responsible operator. Of the 10,402 wells here with a type on record, 59% are oil wells, 29% dry holes and 8% disposal or injection wells. Drilling records here go back to 1887. 103 wells (1%) were drilled in 2016 or later, the most recent in 2026. 165 wells are listed as permitted or being drilled. 277 wells have been plugged since 2016. Wells with a recorded depth average 3,295 ft. 457 operators have wells here. The largest by active wells is Daystar Petroleum, Inc., with 167 active (11% of the county's active wells).
Figures from the Kansas Geological Survey, updated 2026-10-09.
Top operators in Rice
Wells
Not plugged · All wells · Plugged · Orphaned · Disposal (SWD) and injection
| Well | API / ID | Status | Type | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAM AINSWORTH 'A' 5 | 15-159-06204 | Active | Oil | 🔒 Sign in free |
| SANDHILL DISPOSAL 1 | 15-159-21967 | Active | Disposal | 🔒 Sign in free |
| SANDPLUM 1 | 15-159-21173 | Active | Oil | — |
| SANGSTER 11-10 | 15-159-20662 | Active | Injection | 🔒 Sign in free |
| SANTA FE 2 | 1056646838 | Permitted | Unknown | — |
| SANTA FE 3 | 1056650800 | Permitted | Unknown | — |
| SARA BAYER 1 | 15-159-20841 | Active | Oil | 🔒 Sign in free |
| SARA BAYER 4 | 15-159-21726 | Active | Oil | 🔒 Sign in free |
| SARGENT 2 | 15-159-00225 | Active | Disposal | 🔒 Sign in free |
| SCHENKLE 1 | 15-159-05022 | Drilling | Gas | — |
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Rice County, KS well questions
How many oil and gas wells are in Rice County, KS?
10,893 wells are on record: 1,560 active, 163 shut in or temporarily abandoned and 8,462 plugged, with 6 flagged orphaned.
Who operates the most wells in Rice County, KS?
Daystar Petroleum, Inc., with 167 active wells and 250 wells on record here. The table above lists the top operators.
Are new wells still being drilled in Rice County, KS?
Yes. 103 wells were drilled in 2016 or later, the most recent in 2026, and 165 more are permitted or being drilled.