Texas Drilling Permit and Completion Statistics for September 2023

October 19, 2023

AUSTIN – The Railroad Commission of Texas issued a total of 816 original drilling permits in September 2023. The total includes 709 to drill new oil or gas wells, 10 to re-enter plugged wellbores and 80 for re-completions of existing wellbores.

The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in September 2023 is:  180 oil, 64 gas, 519 oil and gas, 35 injection, one service, and 17 other permits.

In September 2023, Commission staff processed 778 oil, 275 gas and 338 injection completions for new drills, re-entries and re-completions.

Detailed data on drilling permits and well completions for the month can be found at this link:

https://www.rrc.texas.gov/oil-and-gas/research-and-statistics/drilling-information/monthly-drilling-completion-and-plugging-summaries/


TABLE 1 – September 2023 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

80

92

33

(2) REFUGIO AREA

35

40

55

(3) SOUTHEAST TEXAS

11

9

9

(4) DEEP SOUTH TEXAS

17

1

7

(5) EAST CENTRAL TX

2

3

1

(6) EAST TEXAS

39

2

21

(7B) WEST CENTRAL TX

4

11

0

(7C) SAN ANGELO AREA

56

84

1

(8) MIDLAND

414

389

119

(8A) LUBBOCK AREA

20

24

0

(9) NORTH TEXAS

22

20

7

(10) PANHANDLE

9

9

1

TOTAL

709

684

254

 

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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/.