June 22, 2021
Texas Upstream Oil and Natural Gas Sector Continues to Add Jobs
Staples: “Gains are welcome news, caution exists as world readjusts to increased demand”
AUSTIN – Data from the Texas Workforce Commission suggests that Texas upstream oil and natural gas employment expanded by 1,600 jobs in May (compared to April), continuing its recovery that began last October. Since the low point in employment in September 2020, months with job gains have outnumbered decline months 6-to-2.
Compared to the same month in 2020, May 2021 jobs remained down 4,100, or 2%. But May’s job count stands 7.9% higher, or 12,500 more, than that of the low point in September 2020. Total upstream employment is 170,000 jobs – jobs that pay among the highest wages in Texas.
“The positive numbers are welcomed news, yet a great deal of caution exists as the world readjusts to increased demand levels. The industry continues to play an enormous role in safely delivering the products and power Americans need every day and takes this responsibility seriously,” said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association.
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 in Texas.
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.