The Railroad Commission of Texas on Friday released its figures for March drilling in the state, showing a noticeable gain over the previous month’s number. The overall figure also tied the level achieved in January.
RRC figures show 1,072 new drills recorded during March (up 27.5%), including 818 oil wells, 246 gas wells and eight dry holes. This compares to 841 total new drills in February, including 682 oil wells, 142 gas wells and 17 dry holes. This activity equaled January’s drilling, when 1,072 wells were recorded, including 814 oil wells, 242 gas wells and 16 dry holes. The distribution of wells in these categories was roughly the same in March, as it was in January.
Compared to March 2024, last month’s activity was 20.3% higher. The figures a year ago included 689 oil wells, 183 gas wells and 19 dry holes.
The three Permian basin districts—7C, 8 and 8A—comprised 67.3% of all drilling in the state during March. This is lower than other months, where the figure has exceeded 70%, including 74.7% in February, 72.4% in January and 71.5% in March 2024.
Meanwhile, the commission issued 696 original drilling permits in March 2025. The total includes 613 to drill new oil or gas wells, 15 to re-enter plugged wellbores, 5 field transfers, 1 reclass and 62 for re-completion. The breakdown of well types for total original drilling permits in March 2025 is: 137 oil, 52 gas, 469 oil and gas, 20 injection, 1 service, and 17 other permits.
As is always the case, the March 2025 numbers are subject to updating and revision by the commission.
