Oil in Texas


Oil is a major part of the Texas economy. Texas has consistently been the leading oil producing state in the United States and in 2024, set a new record when 2 billion barrels were produced for the first time ever. It was first detected in 1543 on the water in Galveston Bay. The first oil well was drilled in 1866. Oil in Texas took off in 1901.

History

The history of oil in Texas dates back to July, 1543 when Spanish explorer Luis de Moscoso Alvarado detected it floating on the water in Galveston Bay. The first oil well was drilled by Lyne T. Barret in 1866. Oil in Texas took off in 1901 when Anthony Francis Lucas, an immigrant to the United States from Croatia along with Pattillo Higgins successfully drilled for oil in what is now known as Spindletop.

Oil producing regions

Major oil producing regions in Texas include the East Texas Oil Field and the Permian Basin. During the first half of the twentieth century, these regions developed around boomtowns such as Longview and Midland.

Regulation

The production of oil in Texas is regulated by the Railroad Commission of Texas. The commission engages in three main types of regulation: resource conservation, proration of production, and protecting the correlative rights of both producers and royalty owners.

Production statistics

The following table shows total oil production from 2015 to 2024.
YearOil Production
20151,004,774
2016974,612
20171,026,765
20181,274,569
20191,864,858,908
20201,774,993,734
20211,746,344,255
20221,870,340,614
20231,999,474,968
20242,039,926,150

Oil Companies in Texas

The main commercial hub for the North American Oil industry, notable companies with headquarters or North American Headquarters in Texas include: