TEXAS HORIZONTAL DRILLING PERMIT NUMBERS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED

Jan. 21, 1991
The past year, through Nov. 30, saw 985 horizontal drilling permits issued by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC). This is a major increase over the 200 issued in the prior 6 years, 1984-1989. The first permit, in 1984, was issued to Exxon's Cook's Point Unit No. 1 well, drilled in the Austin chalk of the Giddings field. The original classification by the RRC called the well directional. But with horizontal wells now looked upon as distinctive types of holes, RRC is including the

The past year, through Nov. 30, saw 985 horizontal drilling permits issued by the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC). This is a major increase over the 200 issued in the prior 6 years, 1984-1989.

The first permit, in 1984, was issued to Exxon's Cook's Point Unit No. 1 well, drilled in the Austin chalk of the Giddings field. The original classification by the RRC called the well directional. But with horizontal wells now looked upon as distinctive types of holes, RRC is including the well in its horizontal well listing.

The RRC lists the yearly number of permits issued, as follows:

1984 1

1985 2

1986 5

1987 19

1988 46

1989 127

1990 985 (to Nov. 30)

These permits include 51 counties in the state of Texas (see map).

Of the 1,185 total permits issued since 1984, 973 (82%) are in the eight counties that contain the Pearsall and Giddings fields.

These two fields also contain most of the well completions.

Of the 474 completions, statewide through Nov. 30, 426 (90%) are in these same two fields.

Copyright 1991 Oil & Gas Journal. All Rights Reserved.