Good Friday

 In observance of Good Friday, the Railroad Commission offices will be closed Friday, March 29, 2024. Staff will be on hand to respond to emergencies. Call toll-free at 844-773-0305.

 

Texas Drilling Permits and Completions Statistics for December 2015

January 11, 2016

AUSTIN –– The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) issued a total of 727 original drilling permits in December 2015 compared to 1,506 in December 2014. The December total included 622 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, twelve to re-enter plugged well bores and 93 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits issued December 2015 included 159 oil, 42 gas, 440 oil or gas, 54 injection, two service and 30 other permits.

In December 2015, Commission staff processed 788 oil, 151 gas, 53 injection and one other completions compared to 1,559 oil, 353 gas, 45 injection and two other completions in December 2014. Total well completions for 2015 are 19,503; down from 29,554 recorded in 2014.

According to Baker Hughes Inc., the Texas rig count as of January 8 was 308, representing about 46 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 – DECEMBER TEXAS OIL AND GAS DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*

DISTRICT

PERMITS TO DRILL OIL/GAS HOLES

OIL COMPLETIONS

GAS COMPLETIONS

(1) SAN ANTONIO AREA

87

183

30

(2) REFUGIO AREA

109

99

13

(3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS

26

42

7

(4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS

12

6

24

(5) EAST CENTRAL TX

10

3

1

(6) EAST TEXAS

18

5

8

(7B) WEST CENTRAL TX

30

18

3

(7C) SAN ANGELO AREA

52

69

0

(8) MIDLAND

275

256

14

(8A) LUBBOCK AREA

45

34

0

(9) NORTH TEXAS

49

47

5

(10) PANHANDLE

14

26

46

*A district map is available on the Railroad Commission of Texas 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 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 https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.