Texas drilling permits lower, oil production up over 2013

Midland leads all districts with 385 drilling permits, 682 oil completions

The effect of low oil prices is starting to show up in drilling and production statistics, according to figures released by the Texas Railroad Commission.

Drilling permits, oil and gas completions declined significantly compared to the previous year, but production increased almost by almost 500,000 barrels per day.

Texas drilling permits

The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 1,102 original drilling permits in January 2015 compared to 1,791 in January 2014.

The January total included 971 permits to drill new oil and gas wells,18 to re-enter existing well bores and 113 for re-completions. Permits issued in January 2015 included 254 oil, 90 gas, 697 oil and gas, 39 injection, zero service and 22 other permits.

December crude oil production

Texas preliminary December 2014 crude oil production averaged 2,292,718 barrels daily, up from the 1,797,302 barrels daily average of December 2013.

The preliminary Texas crude oil production figure for December 2014 is 71,074,245 barrels, up from 55,716,350 barrels reported during December 2013.

January oil and gas completions

In January 2015, operators reported 1,450 oil, 344 gas, 198 injection and five other completions compared to 3,131 oil, 398 gas, 72 injection and six other completions in January 2014.

Total well completions for 2015 year to date are 1,997 down from 3,607 recorded during the same period in 2014.

Operators reported 1,104 holes plugged and zero dry holes in January 2015 compared to 750 holes plugged and zero dry holes in January 2014.

JANUARY TEXAS OIL AND GAS DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY DISTRICT