Upstream oil and natural gas employment in Texas totaled 198,700 jobs in March, up by 1,500 positions from the prior month and up by 20,000 year/year, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) said in a new report.

Texas jobs

The gain from a year earlier included an increase of 1,100 jobs in oil and natural gas extraction and 18,900 jobs in the services sector, TIPRO said.

Despite lower commodity prices – notably including weak natural gas prices so far this year amid light weather-driven demand – gas production held at elevated levels around 101.6 Bcf/d in the first quarter, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). That was up 1.4% over 4Q2022 output and was close to record levels just above 102 Bcf/d reached last year. Petroleum output...