In the Delaware Basin, acquisitions are rarely just acreage stories. The value of a new position depends on what is being acquired, where it sits, and how it relates to formations, nearby development, crude takeaway, natural gas takeaway, and processing infrastructure.
Matador’s July 2026 announcement fits that pattern. The company said it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Paloma Permian LLC for $1.275 billion in cash. The Paloma acquisition includes both certain proved undeveloped acreage and oil and natural gas producing properties in Southeast New Mexico. Matador described the acreage addition as 16,235 net undeveloped acres in Eddy and Lea counties, with the majority of that acreage held by production. The acquired properties are expected to produce approximately 10,600 to 11,600 BOE/d in Q3 2026, with a 57% oil production mix. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2026.
The same transaction also adds over 156 net locations, normalized to two-mile laterals, primarily in the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp formations. Matador also cited 55 MMBOE of proved reserves and $816 million of PV-10 as of May 31, 2026. Put together, the deal is not “undeveloped acres or producing assets.” It is a mix of undeveloped acreage, existing production, reserves, and future drilling locations.
The map powered by Rextag Energy DataLink shows why location is central to the story. Matador’s existing Delaware Basin acreage is shown alongside the Paloma Permian AssetCo acreage position in Southeast New Mexico, with Eddy and Lea county boundaries and the Bone Spring / Wolfcamp fairway providing geologic context.
The infrastructure context around the acreage is equally important. The map places the Matador and Paloma acreage positions against major operational crude oil pipelines, major operational natural gas pipelines, and operational gas processing plants across the Delaware Basin. These layers do not imply Matador ownership of the surrounding infrastructure. They show the takeaway and processing context that upstream teams review when evaluating how new acreage fits into a broader development plan.
Matador also announced a separate Ridge Runner acreage acquisition tied to the Woodford formation and reported results from its Rae’s Creek Woodford well in Southeast Lea County, New Mexico. The company said the Ridge Runner transaction, prior acreage additions, and its “brick-by-brick” land strategy create an approximately 50,000 net-acre Woodford position. It also said the Paloma and Ridge Runner acquisitions together would bring Matador’s Delaware Basin acreage to approximately 240,000 net acres.
The result is a broader Delaware Basin growth story. Paloma strengthens Matador’s Bone Spring and Wolfcamp inventory in Eddy and Lea counties, while the Woodford activity adds a separate layer of development optionality. On the map, the key takeaway is simple: acreage growth becomes more meaningful when it can be read against formation context and the surrounding crude, gas, and processing network.
Why it matters
● Matador agreed to acquire Paloma Permian LLC for $1.275 billion in cash.
● The Paloma acquisition includes 16,235 net undeveloped acres in Eddy and Lea counties, New Mexico, with the majority held by production.
● The acquired properties are expected to produce approximately 10,600 to 11,600 BOE/d in Q3 2026, with a 57% oil mix.
● The deal adds over 156 net locations, primarily in the Bone Spring and Wolfcamp formations.
● Matador cited 55 MMBOE of proved reserves and $816 million of PV-10 as of May 31, 2026.
● The map shows how Matador and Paloma acreage sit near major crude oil pipelines, natural gas pipelines, and gas processing plants across the Delaware Basin.
What the map shows
A Southeast New Mexico view of Matador’s Delaware Basin acreage growth and surrounding infrastructure context.
● Matador acreage
● Paloma Permian AssetCo acreage
● Eddy County and Lea County boundaries
● Bone Spring / Wolfcamp fairway
● operational major crude oil pipelines
● operational major natural gas pipelines
● operational gas processing plants
Infrastructure layers are shown for context and do not imply Matador ownership or operation unless specifically labeled.
A deeper dive with Energy DataLink
Using Rextag Energy DataLink, users can:
● compare operator acreage positions across core Delaware Basin counties
● review acquired acreage against shale play and formation context
● map crude oil and natural gas takeaway infrastructure around upstream assets
● identify nearby gas processing plants and other midstream infrastructure
● evaluate how acquisition targets sit within broader basin infrastructure patterns
● build regional infrastructure views for upstream, midstream, M&A, and investment analysis workflows
