ExxonMobil, the top driller in Texas as measured by permits, is preparing to drill at least 45 new oil wells in west Texas, The Houston Chronicle said earlier this week ExxonMobil filed 53 drilling permits in the past week with the Railroad Commission of Texas, including 45 in west Texas. Shale drilling subsidiary XTO Energy will drill 33 new horizontal wells in Martin County targeting Spraberry, 8 new wells in Midland County and 3 in Upton County and another directional well in Andrews County targeting Fullerton.