The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) released its monthly oil and gas statistics last week showing a continued slowdown for drilling across Texas. The Eagle Ford remained a bright spot for permits and production amidst sluggish numbers state-wide.

Drilling Permits

In May, the RRC issued a total of 917 original drilling permits, a huge decline from the 2,389 that were issued during this time period in 2014.

Related: Texas Drilling Permits down 50% 

The May total included 778 permits to drill new oil and gas wells and of that, 143 went to the San Antonio area, which is in the heart of the Eagle Ford. 222 permits were issued for oil, 55 for gas and 583 for oil and gas.

Oil & Gas Completions

The total year-to-date well completions for 2015 are 9,832 down from 13,729 recorded during the same period in 2014.

• May 2015: 1,299  oil, 201 gas, 72 injection and nine other

• March 2014: 2,057 oil, 323 gas, 78 injection and 12 other

Production

Production remains high with preliminary figures for April 2015 at 69,595,733 barrels, up from 61,303,820 barrels reported during April 2014. The Eagle Ford continues to outproduce other Texas areas in oil production with Karnes, La Salle and DeWitt counties maintaining the lead. Following are top oil and gas producing counties in April, 2015 according to the RCC.

COUNTY – CRUDE OIL (BBLS)

1.  KARNES – 6,503,269
2.  LA SALLE – 4,481,444
3.  DEWITT – 4,290,323
4.  MCMULLEN – 3,143,357
5.  ANDREWS – 2,969,079
6.  UPTON – 2,919,211
7.  MARTIN – 2,875,795
8.  GONZALES – 2,874,191
9.  MIDLAND – 2,719,874
10. REEVES – 2,223,136

Read more at rcc.state.tx