The Billion-Dollar Fracking Fortune: Unpacking Farris Wilks’ Net Worth And Controversial Empire

As of late 2024 and early 2025, Farris Wilks, the Texas-based oil and gas magnate, maintains a formidable position among the world's billionaires, with his estimated net worth hovering between $1.5 billion and $1.9 billion. This staggering wealth is primarily rooted in the lucrative sale of his hydraulic fracturing company, Frac Tech Services, though his continued investments in energy, vast real estate holdings, and significant political funding keep his financial profile dynamic and highly relevant today. Farris Wilks and his brother, Dan Wilks, have leveraged their initial fortune into a diversified empire that spans from public energy companies like ProFrac Holding Corp to some of the largest private land ownerships in the United States.

The story of Farris Wilks is a classic American tale of grit, entrepreneurship, and massive success in the energy sector, followed by a pivot into high-stakes investing and conservative political activism. His wealth accumulation is a testament to the boom in hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," which revolutionized the U.S. oil and natural gas industry in the early 21st century. This article provides an in-depth, updated look at the sources of his fortune, his current business ventures, and the full scope of his financial and political influence.

Farris Wilks: Biography and Profile

Farris Wilks, along with his brother Dan Wilks, built his fortune from the ground up, starting with humble origins before becoming pioneers in the oilfield services sector. The following is a detailed profile of the billionaire businessman:

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• Full Name: Farris Cullen Wilks
• Born: Circa 1951 or 1952
• Place of Birth: Cisco, Texas
• Early Life: Farris and Dan Wilks grew up in Cisco, Texas, and reportedly spent their early years living in a converted goat shed. They are the sons of a bricklayer.
• Early Career: He and his brother worked laying bricks for their father’s masonry business. In 1995, they officially established their own construction company, Wilks Masonry.
• Key Business Venture: In 2002, they co-founded Frac Tech Services, an oilfield services company specializing in hydraulic fracturing.
• Current Role: Co-founder of Wilks Brothers, LLC, a private equity and investment firm that manages their vast wealth.
• Religious Affiliation: Farris Wilks serves as a pastor at the Assembly of Yahweh Seventh Day Church near Cisco, Texas.

The Frac Tech Sale: The $3.5 Billion Foundation of Wilks' Wealth

The true inflection point for Farris Wilks’ net worth was the founding and subsequent sale of Frac Tech Services. Starting the company in 2002, the Wilks brothers capitalized on the burgeoning demand for hydraulic fracturing services, which allows the extraction of oil and gas from shale rock formations. Frac Tech quickly grew into one of the largest and most successful independent fracking companies in the United States.

The massive payday came in 2011 when the brothers sold a 70% stake in Frac Tech Services (later renamed FTS International) to a consortium of investors.

• Sale Date: 2011
• Buyer: A consortium led by Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, Temasek Holdings, and RRJ Capital.
• Sale Value: The transaction was valued at approximately $3.5 billion.
• Wilks' Proceeds: While the exact split is private, the sale instantly vaulted Farris and Dan Wilks into the billionaire ranks, providing the foundational capital for their subsequent investment activities under Wilks Brothers, LLC.

This strategic exit during the peak of the fracking boom allowed Farris Wilks to diversify his assets dramatically, moving his focus from day-to-day operations to large-scale investment management and real estate acquisition.

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Farris Wilks' Current Investment Portfolio and Business Ventures (2025)

Following the Frac Tech sale, Farris and Dan Wilks established Wilks Brothers, LLC, a family office and private equity firm based in Cisco, Texas. This entity manages their extensive portfolio, which continues to focus heavily on the energy sector but has expanded into diverse areas like real estate, technology, and manufacturing.

Oil and Gas Investments

Despite selling their majority stake in Frac Tech, the Wilks brothers remain deeply invested in the energy industry, often through distressed or undervalued assets. These investments are a key component of Farris Wilks’ net worth and future growth potential.

• ProFrac Holding Corp (ACDC): Farris Wilks is a ten percent owner of ProFrac Holding Corp (NASDAQ: ACDC), a major U.S. oilfield services company. In recent transactions, he has actively acquired shares, indicating a continued belief in the company’s value.
• U.S. Well Services: The Wilks Brothers have invested in U.S. Well Services, another significant player in the hydraulic fracturing space.
• Dawson Geophysical Company: They have also held a stake in Dawson Geophysical Company, a data provider for the energy industry.
• Crestwood Holdings: The Wilks Brothers have been involved in various energy-related acquisitions and holdings, including midstream assets and other oilfield services companies, though some of their Permian Basin investments have faced challenges.

Massive Real Estate and Land Holdings

One of the most significant—and often controversial—aspects of Farris Wilks’ wealth is his and Dan’s extensive land ownership. They are consistently ranked among the largest private landowners in the United States, with holdings spanning multiple states.

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• Total Acreage: The Wilks Brothers control hundreds of thousands of acres of land across the American West.
• Idaho Timberland: Their portfolio includes over 60,000 acres of deeded timberland in the Salmon River and Boise Mountain Ranges in Idaho, which was recently listed for sale at $150 million.
• Montana Ranches: They own vast ranches in Montana, including one spanning approximately 67,960 acres, which has been the subject of local controversy regarding public access to surrounding federal lands.
• Texas Ranches: The Wilks brothers maintain substantial land holdings in their home state of Texas, solidifying their status as major figures in the American West.

Political Influence and Philanthropic Activity

Beyond business, Farris Wilks is a highly influential figure in conservative U.S. politics, particularly in Texas. His net worth allows him to be one of the most significant financial backers of right-wing and ultra-conservative political causes.

Major Political Donor

Farris Wilks, alongside his brother and fellow billionaire Tim Dunn, has poured millions of dollars into political action committees (PACs) and campaigns aimed at shifting the Texas Republican Party further to the right.

• Defend Texas Liberty: Wilks is a key funder of Defend Texas Liberty, one of the state party's largest donors, which has been at the center of several high-profile political controversies.
• Texans for a Conservative Majority: In recent years, the Wilks and Dunn families have also funded new groups, such as Texans for a Conservative Majority, to continue their political influence.
• Focus: Their political funding often supports candidates and initiatives focused on conservative social issues, limited government, and deregulation, especially within the energy sector.

Philanthropy

While Farris Wilks' political spending is widely documented, his philanthropic efforts are often channeled through his religious convictions and the Wilks Brothers' various initiatives. His giving is frequently focused on faith-based and conservative organizations that align with his personal values as a pastor. The Wilks brothers are known for their strong Christian faith, which informs both their business ethics and their charitable giving.

In summary, Farris Wilks’ net worth in 2025 is a complex tapestry woven from a foundational $3.5 billion fracking exit, active management of Wilks Brothers, LLC, strategic investments in oilfield services like ProFrac Holding Corp, and massive, tangible assets in the form of ranches and timberland across the Western U.S. His ongoing influence in energy and politics ensures he remains a powerful and closely watched figure in the American financial landscape.