News
Agency News Items - 2026
January
Texas Drilling Permit and Completion Statistics for December 2025
January 30, 2026
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 504 original drilling permits in December 2025. The total includes 464 to drill new oil or gas wells, 8 to re-enter plugged wellbores, and 32 for re-completion.
The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in December 2025 is: 79 oil, 51 gas, 347 oil and gas, 20 injection, 1 service and 6 other permits.
In December 2025, Commission staff processed 1,117 oil, 471 gas, and 307 injection completions.
Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link:
DECEMBER 2025 TEXAS OIL AND GAS NEW DRILLING PERMITS AND COMPLETIONS BY RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS DISTRICT*
DISTRICT
PERMITS TO DRILL NEW OIL/GAS HOLES
NEW OIL COMPLETIONS
NEW GAS COMPLETIONS
(1) SAN ANTONIO AREA
45
31
49
(2) REFUGIO AREA
24
37
5
(3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS
10
9
11
(4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS
11
0
12
(5) EAST CENTRAL TX
4
5
4
(6) EAST TEXAS
35
4
26
(7B) WEST CENTRAL TX
8
7
0
(7C) SAN ANGELO AREA
55
109
1
(8) MIDLAND
237
297
100
(8A) LUBBOCK AREA
7
26
0
(9) NORTH TEXAS
26
13
13
(10) PANHANDLE
2
0
1
TOTAL
464
538
222
*A district map is available on the Railroad Commission of Texas website at https://rrc.texas.gov/media/3bkhbut0/districts_color_8x11.pdf.
RRC Statement on Winter Weather Response
January 28, 2026
AUSTIN – Railroad Commission Chairman Jim Wright, Commissioner Christi Craddick and Commissioner Wayne Christian would like to thank the frontline oilfield workers, first responders, linemen and all those who worked tirelessly across Texas during Winter Storm Fern to keep the state operational. Because of their efforts, the Texas natural gas supply chain remained stable throughout the event, delivering critical fuel to homes and power generators.
During the event, the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) actively supported industry partners by conducting daily meetings to oversee field operations and provide guidance to essential infrastructure operators. The agency also maintained a continuous, 24/7 presence at the State Operations Center, collaborating closely with partner agencies to support response efforts and facilitate an adequate natural gas supply to keep Texans safe this winter season.
The RRC will continue its critical infrastructure inspections throughout the remainder of the winter to help ensure the reliability and safety of Texas’ energy system. We remain committed to working alongside industry and state partners to maintain critical facilities and keep energy flowing, regardless of conditions.
“Texas’ response to the recent winter storm shows how much the state has improved over the past five years. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made through the efforts of Texas energy producers, pipeline operators, and RRC staff who put in the work to weatherize and prepare our infrastructure. Because of them, we were able to help ensure homes stayed warm and the electric grid remained stable during Winter Storm Fern.”
— Jim Wright, Railroad Commission Chairman“Texas’ energy system is strongest when preparation meets execution, and that’s exactly what we saw during this winter weather event. Thanks to the dedication of frontline workers and the close coordination between the Railroad Commission, industry, and our state partners, natural gas continued flowing to homes and power generators when Texans needed it most. Our focus remains on vigilance, reliability, and ensuring critical infrastructure performs under any conditions.”
— Christi Craddick, Railroad Commissioner“While a winter storm bore down on Texas, thousands of workers were out in the cold, around the clock, making sure oil and natural gas kept flowing. Because of their grit, professionalism, and sacrifice, millions of families were able to stay warm, safe, and secure in their homes. These men and women are the backbone of our energy system, and Texas owes them a debt of gratitude.”
— Wayne Christian, Railroad CommissionerFor more information on weather emergency resources, please visit rrc.texas.gov/weather.
Texas Oil and Gas Production Statistics for October 2025
January 21, 2026
AUSTIN –– Statewide and county crude oil and natural gas production for October 2025 reported in the tables below came from 157,228 oil wells and 84,019 gas wells.
Crude oil production reported by the RRC is limited to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the RRC. For full oil and gas production statistics, you can visit the links below.
Statewide totals: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production/
County rankings: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/production-data/texas-monthly-oil-gas-production-by-county-ranking/
TABLE 1 - October 2025 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION*
PRODUCT
PRELIMINARY REPORTED TOTAL VOLUME
AVERAGE DAILY PRODUCTION
Crude Oil
125,078,417 BBLS (barrels)
4,034,787 BBLS
Natural Gas
957,084,198 mcf (thousand cubic feet)
30,873,683 mcf
* These are preliminary figures based on production volumes reported by operators and will be updated as late and corrected production reports are received.
TABLE 2 - October 2024 STATEWIDE PRODUCTION
PRODUCT
UPDATED REPORTED TOTAL VOLUME
PRELIMINARY REPORTED TOTAL VOLUME
Crude Oil
149,680,107 BBLS
122,145,230 BBLS
Natural Gas
1,121,552,053 mcf
898,859,331 mcf
TABLE 3 – October 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN CRUDE OIL PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION
RANK
COUNTY
CRUDE OIL (BBLS)
1.
MARTIN
19,906,130
2.
MIDLAND
18,076,141
3.
LOVING
8,545,374
4.
UPTON
8,436,384
5.
REEVES
6,374,887
6.
KARNES
5,797,349
7.
REAGAN
5,603,608
8.
HOWARD
5,336,091
9.
ANDREWS
5,006,834
10.
GLASSCOCK
3,720,573
TABLE 4 – October 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL GAS (GAS WELL GAS & CASINGHEAD) PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION
RANK
COUNTY
TOTAL GAS (MCF)
1.
WEBB
93,279,083
2.
REEVES
82,286,827
3.
MIDLAND
78,359,548
4.
MARTIN
61,124,822
5.
LOVING
53,373,934
6.
CULBERSON
37,749,714
7.
UPTON
36,189,721
8.
REAGAN
35,629,809
9.
HOWARD
29,401,028
10.
PANOLA
28,105,801
TABLE 5 – October 2025 TEXAS TOP TEN TOTAL CONDENSATE PRODUCING COUNTIES RANKED BY PRELIMINARY PRODUCTION
RANK
COUNTY
CONDENSATE (BBLS)
1.
REEVES
6,235,639
2.
LOVING
4,350,584
3.
CULBERSON
2,928,522
4.
DE WITT
1,765,284
5.
WEBB
1,444,141
6.
DIMMIT
737,520
7.
KARNES
668,458
8.
LIVE OAK
624,313
9.
WARD
611,277
10.
MCMULLEN
464,029
RRC Enhances Public Input Through Remote Listening Sessions
January 07, 2026
AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas begins the new year with the next edition of its series of virtual Listening Sessions.
Taking place on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST, the session will provide the public with another opportunity to share their perspectives on the RRC’s role as the state’s oldest regulatory agency. Residents from across Texas are encouraged to participate.
The virtual sessions, occurring every other month, are organized by the Office of Public Engagement and will feature an overview of the Commission’s regulatory functions followed by an opportunity for participants to provide comments and ask questions during a brief Q&A session with RRC subject matter experts. Registration is required for participation and commenting.
More than 30 members of the public participated in the inaugural Listening Session held in November, asking questions on a variety of topics ranging from orphaned well plugging to drilling permits. The remote program is a part of the RRC’s continuous commitment to inform and involve Texans in the vital work of the Commission.
Event details
Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, from noon to 1:30 p.m. CST.
Format: These sessions will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. A dial-in option will also be available for convenience. A Spanish language option will also be available for registrants.
Registration: Texans can register in advance using the link below.
For more information or access to the FAQ sheet, please visit: https://www.rrc.texas.gov/public-engagement/listening-sessions-faq/ or email Scott Sroufe, Director of the Office of Public Engagement, at Scott.Sroufe@rrc.texas.gov.
Commissioners
-
Jim Wright
Chairman -
Christi Craddick
Commissioner -
Wayne Christian
Commissioner
Audiences