AUSTIN –– The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) issued a total of 1,196 original drilling permits in January 2019 compared to 1,166 in January 2018. The January 2019 total included 1,102 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, seven to re-enter plugged well bores and 87 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits is 303 oil, 53 gas, 732 oil or gas, 88 injection, three service and 17 other permits.
In January 2019, Commission staff processed 742 oil, 245 gas, 29 injection and four other completions compared to 739 oil, 179 gas, 44 injection and one other completions in January 2018. Total well completions processed for 2019 year to date are 1,020; up from 963 recorded during the same time period in 2018.
According to Baker Hughes Inc., the Texas rig count as of February 8 was 511, representing about 49 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 – JANUARY 2019 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 | 175 | 102 | 42 |
| (2) REFUGIO AREA | 55 | 105 | 12 |
| (3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS | 43 | 38 | 9 |
| (4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS | 17 | 5 | 17 |
| (5) EAST CENTRAL TX | 7 | 6 | 8 |
| (6) EAST TEXAS | 30 | 3 | 31 |
| (7B) WEST CENTRAL TX | 27 | 19 | 4 |
| (7C) SAN ANGELO AREA | 110 | 36 | 0 |
| (8) MIDLAND | 622 | 350 | 93 |
| (8A) LUBBOCK AREA | 69 | 38 | 0 |
| (9) NORTH TEXAS | 35 | 30 | 12 |
| (10) PANHANDLE | 6 | 10 | 17 |
| TOTAL | 1,196 | 742 | 245 |
*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.