Texas
Texas petroleum industry had unusual year
The petroleum industry in Texas had an unusual year in 2023: it produced more crude oil and natural gas in the state’s history, but declining exploration and production indicators could be sending a different message about the future.
The Texas Petro Index, a monthly measure of growth rates and cycles in the Texas upstream economy, fell for 11 consecutive months in 2023 from 178.3 in December 2022 to 154.4 in December 2023, which is a decline of 13.4%.
“Rising crude oil and natural gas production and still-growing industry employment were unable to offset lower prices, fewer rigs at work, and lower values of statewide production, pushing the TPI downward in 2023 after the January peak,” said Karr Ingham, Petroleum Economist for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, and the creator of the TPI analysis. “But Texas oil and gas producers, with extraordinary efficiency and productivity gains on full display, still managed to grow production significantly, setting new records for statewide output along the way.”
Statewide crude oil production in Texas surpassed two billion barrels for the first time ever in 2023, and reached a record 5.62 million barrels per day in December 2023, Ingham said. Daily production, which peaked pre-COVID at 5.45 million barrels in March 2020, finally reached and exceeded that level fully three years later in March 2023. Texas annual crude oil production in 2023 outpaced the 2022 annual total by a stout 8.5%, and comprised 42.6% of U.S. annual production.
Texas natural gas production exceeded 12 trillion cubic feet (TCF) for the first time at an estimated 12.5 TCF in 2023, an increase of 7.4% over the 2022 annual total, Ingham said.
“Surprisingly, however, these milestones were accomplished with a significant and sustained decline in the statewide rig count and fewer drilling permits issued over the course of the year,” Ingham said. “The Texas rig count climbed to its post-COVID high of 379 in January 2023, and then fell by 76 rigs to 303 in November, before adding four rigs in December. At year-end 2023 the rig count was down by nearly 18% compared to the December 2022 monthly average.”
At the same time the number of drilling permits declined by 16.5% in 2023.
It is unusual that production would increase by such a substantial margin (8% for oil and 7% for natural gas) while the drilling permits and the rig count decline by 18% and 16%, respectively.
Additionally, all of this occurred with a workforce that is a third smaller than it was 10 years ago.
“Texas is increasingly leading the way in terms of supply growth domestically and globally, helping to meet the ever-growing demand for abundant, affordable, and reliable energy at home and around the world,” said Ingham. “For this, oil and gas operators in Texas of all shapes and sizes are worthy of thanks, not scorn, and their accomplishments in powering our economy, improving our everyday lives, and enhancing America’s energy security should be widely celebrated.”
Alex Mills is the former President of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
Texas
Argentina to play friendlies at Texas A&M and Auburn ahead of World Cup
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina will play its final tune-ups for the World Cup at the college football stadiums of Texas A&M and Auburn.
Lionel Messi’s team will face Honduras on June 6 at the Aggies’ Kyle Field, which has a capacity of over 102,000 in College Station.
Argentina will then play Iceland at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium on June 9 — two days before the start of the 48-team tournament co-hosted by in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The Argentine Football Association announced the details on Thursday.
Argentina’s title defense begins on June 16 against Algeria in Kansas City, Missouri. Its other two Group J games will be played in Arlington, Texas — against Austria on June 22 and against Jordan on June 27.
Texas
They established Texas’ first civilian government. How San Antonians are keeping those ancestors’ memories alive.
SAN ANTONIO – America is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year, but for some, the history dates back much further.
Nearly 300 years ago, 16 families traveled thousands of miles from the Canary Islands to present-day San Antonio. When they arrived, they helped establish the first civilian government in Texas.
The descendants of these families said their story is not just part of San Antonio’s legacy, but part of the American story.
“It’s important for us to know who we came from,” said Julia Lopez, president of the Canary Islands Descendants Association. “That’s how we know what tomorrow brings.”
Canary Islanders were sent by the King of Spain to settle the “New World” in 1730. They landed in San Antonio on March 9, 1731.
“You can only imagine the journey,” Lopez said. “They sailed across the Atlantic, they walked across Mexico and up into San Antonio.”
While Spanish missionaries arrived in 1718, descendants of the Canary Islanders said they were the first to establish the city’s government.
“Our families were the first mayors of San Antonio,” Sharon Pelayo Simonick. “Our families were the first council people, our families were the first sheriff.”
The Canary Islanders were also early benefactors of San Fernando Cathedral.
A devotion to Our Lady of Candelaria, the patroness of the Canary Islands, remains inside the cathedral to this day.
“I think our story is so important because we are the story of America,” Lopez said. “We’re the story of immigration, we are the story of people who came to find a better life.”
Anthony Delgado said learning more about his ancestors changed the way he sees American history.
“Learning about our ancestors’ contributions to the American Revolution makes that history more personal,” Delgado said. “I now have an ancestral investment in this thing called America and its revolution and independence.”
For many descendants, the story of the Canary Islanders is a reminder that resilience, sacrifice and the search for a better life have always been part of the American story.
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Texas
Dallas weather: Storms, flooding threats return to North Texas this weekend
DALLAS – North Texas’ quiet weather pattern is quickly coming to an end. Strong to severe storm chances and flooding threats return this weekend and are expected to linger through next week.
Thursday forecast
Expect partly sunny skies Thursday with a south breeze. Highs will be near 80, while lows will dip into the mid-50s and low 60s. Showers will develop around Central Texas but likely will not reach the Dallas-Fort Worth area until Friday.
Weekend forecast
Low storm chances return Friday. Storms could contain gusty winds and small hail, mostly south of U.S. Highway 84. While storms are possible early in the weekend, the potential for severe weather is not expected to peak until Sunday and Monday nights.
A storm system to the west will provide energy for storm production this weekend. Scattered storms Saturday will become more widespread Saturday night into Sunday morning.
Another round of storms is expected to develop Sunday afternoon and evening. A few strong to severe storms will be possible, along with a low flash flood threat Sunday night.
7-day forecast
The active weather pattern continues into next week. Expect wet conditions with consistent thunderstorm chances throughout the workweek.
DFW allergy levels ‘very high’
Tree pollen levels in North Texas are “very high,” according to AccuWeather. Levels are expected to remain elevated until Sunday’s rain provides relief.
Mold and grass pollen levels are moderate, while ragweed levels remain low.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service, AccuWeather and FOX 4 Forecasters.
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