By Subcontractors USA News Provider
The Railroad Commission of Texas (Commission) issued a total of 855 original drilling permits in October 2016 compared to 822 in October 2015. The October total included 679 permits to drill new oil or gas wells, 10 to re-enter plugged well bores and 166 for re-completions of existing well bores. The breakdown of well types for those permits issued October 2016 included 211 oil, 45 gas, 562 oil or gas, 26 injection, zero service and 11 other permits.
In October 2016, Commission staff processed 445 oil, 203 gas, 20 injection and zero other completions compared to 1,138 oil, 196 gas, 53 injection and nine other completions in October 2015. Total well completions for 2016 year to date are 9,405 down from 17,545 recorded during the same period in 2015.
According to Baker Hughes Inc., the Texas rig count as of November 4 was 262, representing about 46 percent of all active rigs in the United States.
For additional drilling permit and completion statistics, visit the Commission’s website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-gas/research-and-statistics/well-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/.
TABLE 1 – OCTOBER 2016 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 | 70 | 107 | 96 |
| (2) REFUGIO AREA | 67 | 39 | 18 |
| (3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS | 33 | 10 | 34 |
| (4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS | 24 | 2 | 13 |
| (5) EAST CENTRAL TX | 11 | 4 | 0 |
| (6) EAST TEXAS | 22 | 0 | 8 |
| (7B) WEST CENTRAL TX | 22 | 15 | 4 |
| (7C) SAN ANGELO AREA | 76 | 53 | 0 |
| (8) MIDLAND | 359 | 163 | 6 |
| (8A) LUBBOCK AREA | 124 | 27 | 2 |
| (9) NORTH TEXAS | 27 | 23 | 5 |
| (10) PANHANDLE | 20 | 2 | 17 |
| TOTAL | 855 | 445 | 203 |
*A district map is available on the Railroad Commission of Texas website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/media/21430/districts_color_8x11.pdf.
About the Railroad Commission – Established in 1891, the Railroad Commission of Texas is the oldest regulatory agency in the state. 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. Additionally, the Commission has jurisdiction over alternative fuel s safety, natural gas utility, surface mining and intrastate pipeline industries. 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. To learn more, visit www.rrc.texas.gov.
