October 22, 2021

Upstream employment up 15% from the low point in September 2020

AUSTIN – Data from the Texas Workforce Commission suggests that Texas upstream oil and natural gas employment expanded by 2,900 jobs in September. Also, August’s estimated job gain in the upstream sector was adjusted downward to 2,500 from the original 2,800. Since the low point in employment in September 2020, months with job gains have outnumbered decline months 10-to-2.

“The resilience of the oil and natural gas industry is evident given that upstream jobs are up by 23,600, or 15 percent, in just one year since the low point in September 2020. These jobs are not only among the highest paying jobs in Texas, these workers also play a direct role in our nation’s energy security and our pursuit of a cleaner, stronger, better future,” said Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA). “We need policies that encourage continued domestic production to meet increased demand here and around the globe. More production means more jobs and more economic opportunities for Texans.” 

Every direct oil and natural gas job in Texas generates an additional 3.0 jobs elsewhere in the state’s economy, according to an analysis released by TXOGA and the American Petroleum Institute that shows how the oil and natural gas industry drives post-pandemic economic recovery and strengthens all industries. 

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. The employment shown also includes “Support Activities for Mining,” which is mostly oil and gas-related but also includes some small amount of other types of mining.

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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.