November 24, 2020

AUSTIN – The upstream sector of the Texas oil and natural gas industry added 600 jobs in October, marking the second consecutive month of job gains. September’s job gain was also revised upward, so that the total upstream job recovery since August’s low point is now estimated at 2,100, according to data from the Texas Workforce Commission. This positive growth brings the total upstream employment in Texas to 171,900 jobs – jobs that pay among the highest wages in Texas. The upstream sector involves oil and natural gas extraction and excludes other industry sectors such as refining, petrochemicals, fuels wholesaling, oilfield equipment manufacturing, pipelines, and gas utilities, which support hundreds of thousands of additional jobs.

“The second consecutive monthly growth in upstream employment is much welcomed news,” said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association. “While the impact of the pandemic is far from over and the supply glut still has to be fully worked through, back to back upstream employment gains confirm the vital role oil and natural gas plays in our economy. Many companies are still working through the adjustments necessary to address the contracted economy due to COVID-19, yet this second month of positive job growth numbers are a good reminder of the essential role of oil and natural gas in our everyday lives.”

Oil and natural gas extraction is upstream activity, meaning that it excludes other sectors in the industry such as refining, petrochemicals, fuels wholesaling, oilfield equipment manufacturing, pipelines, and gas utilities. The employment shown also includes “Support Activities for Mining,” which is mostly oil and gas-related but includes some small amount of other types of mining, also.

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Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry.