Direct upstream natural gas and oil industry employment in Texas for May was down 1,400 jobs from April, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners (TIPRO) reported last week.

NETL rig

TIPRO, which uses U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data to tally its monthly upstream employment figures, said the Lone Star State’s direct job count was 188,700 in May. For April the statewide trade group reported a 5,200 month/month increase in upstream jobs.

“Texas upstream employment figures show a decline in May, following three months of significant growth this year, but job postings remain strong for the Texas oil and natural gas industry as companies continue to increase exploration and production activity in the state,” said TIPRO President Ed Longanecker.

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