Mark Watson, supervisor of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, said the Anadarko situation in Laramie County was unique, and likely one that would resolve itself.

Anadarko gained a checkerboard of mineral leases from the railroad, which gives it tremendous advantage in establishing a land position in the area. But Anadarko’s long game in Wyoming, to acquire and hold rather than acquire and drill, may be changing. The company may be bought by Chevron, and the future of its Wyoming presence is unclear.

Most expect the company, which is focused on its developments in the Permian Basin in the Southwest, will sell the Wyoming position. The odd land inheritance from the railroads will remain. However, a new company may be more willing to drill now.

The Anadarko debate notwithstanding, the permitting race does have Watson’s attention. The race has been building slowly since he came into his role leasing the agency in 2014, he said.

Part of the race is down to the amount of private equity interest there is in Wyoming, a place that’s cheaper than some of the bigger plays in the country. Each of those firms wants its slice of a pie, he added.