The Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) has released state and county crude oil and natural gas production for January 2024, drawing from data compiled from 161,408 oil wells and 84,725 gas wells. The agency clarified that the crude oil production it reports pertains solely to oil produced from oil leases and does not include condensate, which is reported separately by the TRC.
In a press release issued on April 2, the agency revealed that the preliminary reported total volume of crude oil three months prior was 111,122,407 barrels (BBLS), with an average daily production of 3,584,594 BBLS. The release further stated that the preliminary reported total volume of natural gas was 857,816,970 mcf (thousand cubic feet), with a daily average of 27,671,515 mcf.
According to the TRC's data analysis, Midland topped the list as the highest crude oil producing county with a preliminary production of 16,722,501 BBLS. It was followed by Martin, Upton, Loving and Howard counties. Karnes, Reeves, Reagan, Andrews and Glasscock counties also featured in the top ten list.
Regarding Texas' top ten total gas producing counties ranked by preliminary production figures, Webb County claimed the top spot. It was succeeded by Reeves, Midland, Panola, Martin, Culberson, Harrison, Loving Upton and Reagan counties.
TRC's mission statement is to serveTexas through its stewardship of natural resources and environment; its commitment to personal and community safety; and its support for enhanced development and economic vitality for Texans' benefit. Despite bearing 'railroad' in its name,the agency no longer holds jurisdiction or authority over railroads in Texas - a responsibility now entrusted to other agencies according to its website. The commission is currently led by Commissioners Christi Craddick, Wayne Christian, and Jim Wright.
The Texas Railroad Commission was established in 1891 " to prevent discrimination in railroad charges and establish reasonable tariffs," according to its website. It holds the distinction of being the oldest regulatory agency in the state. In 2005, all authority over active railroads was transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation, leading to the Texas Railroad Commission shifting its focus to "alternative fuels safety, natural gas utilities, surface mining and intrastate pipelines."
