AUSTIN –– The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) issued a total of 811 original drilling permits in December 2018 compared to 885 in December 2017. The December 2018 total included 750 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, 10 to re-enter plugged well bores and 51 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits is 180 oil, 43 gas, 537 oil or gas, 46 injection, one service and four other permits.
In December 2018, Commission staff processed 564 oil, 156 gas, 27 injection and three other completions compared to 514 oil, 80 gas, 26 injection and three other completions in December 2017. Total well completions processed for 2018 are 10,986; up from 6,914 recorded in 2017.
According to Baker Hughes Inc., the Texas rig count as of January 4 was 534, representing about 50 percent of all active rigs in the United States.
For additional drilling permit and completion statistics, visit the Commission’s website at http://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-gas/research-and-statistics/well-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/.
TABLE 1 – DECEMBER 2018 TEXAS OIL AND GAS DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*
| DISTRICT | PERMITS TO DRILL OIL/GAS HOLES | NEW OIL COMPLETIONS | NEW GAS COMPLETIONS |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) SAN ANTONIO AREA | 134 | 118 | 28 |
| (2) REFUGIO AREA | 78 | 39 | 14 |
| (3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS | 26 | 17 | 10 |
| (4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS | 11 | 6 | 8 |
| (5) EAST CENTRAL TX | 10 | 4 | 1 |
| (6) EAST TEXAS | 20 | 3 | 19 |
| (7B) WEST CENTRAL TX | 23 | 8 | 1 |
| (7C) SAN ANGELO AREA | 67 | 25 | 0 |
| (8) MIDLAND | 374 | 281 | 57 |
| (8A) LUBBOCK AREA | 34 | 37 | 0 |
| (9) NORTH TEXAS | 26 | 15 | 10 |
| (10) PANHANDLE | 8 | 11 | 8 |
| TOTAL | 811 | 564 | 156 |
*A district map is available on the Railroad Commission of Texas website at http://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/21430/districts_color_8x11.pdf .
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About the Railroad Commission
Our mission is to serve Texas by our stewardship of natural resources and the environment, our concern for personal and community safety, and our support of enhanced development and economic vitality for the benefit of Texans. The Commission has a long and proud history of service to both Texas and to the nation, including almost 100 years regulating the oil and gas industry. The Commission also has jurisdiction over alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines. Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. To learn more, please visit http://www.rrc.texas.gov .