Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for November 2019

December 10, 2019

AUSTIN –The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) issued a total of 958 original drilling permits in November 2019 compared to 933 in November 2018. The November 2019 total included 882 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, 10 to re-enter plugged well bores and 66 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits is 208 oil, 51 gas, 621 oil or gas, 56 injection, two service and 20 other permits. 

In November 2019, Commission staff processed 711 oil, 117 gas, 34 injection and four other completions compared to 794 oil, 151 gas, 36 injection and one other completion in November 2018. Total well completions processed for 2019 year to date are 8,629; down from 10,236 recorded during the same time period in 2018. 

According to Baker Hughes Inc., the Texas rig count as of Nov. 27 was 405, representing about 50 percent of all active rigs in the United States. 

For additional drilling permit and completion statistics, visit the Commission’s monthly drilling completion summaries web page.

TABLE 1 – NOVEMBER 2019 TEXAS OIL AND GAS DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*

*A district map is available on the Railroad Commission of Texas website here.

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 more than 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 https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.