Buckle up, folks—America’s energy engine just hit overdrive, with Texas steering the wheel. In November, the U.S. oil and gas industry smashed production records, proving once again that domestic energy isn’t just a resource; it’s a powerhouse of resilience.
From crude oil peaking at an unprecedented 5.9 million barrels per day to natural gas exports soaring, the numbers tell a story of innovation and grit, largely fueled by Texas’ Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale, Just The News reported.
Let’s start with the headline stat: U.S. crude oil output reached an all-time high of 5.9 million barrels daily, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA). That’s not just a number; it’s a signal that America can meet its own needs without bowing to foreign whims.
Texas alone accounts for over 42% of domestic crude and nearly 30% of marketed natural gas, cementing its role as the nation’s energy backbone. The Permian Basin, sprawling over 86,000 square miles across Texas and New Mexico, churns out half of U.S. crude and a fifth of natural gas. If that’s not a flex, what is?
Productivity in the Permian Basin jumped 14.1% year over year in October, while Eagle Ford wasn’t far behind with an 8.7% rise. Even with 20.4% fewer rigs operating, Texas boosted combined oil and gas output by 5.8% through November. Efficiency like that slaps down any narrative of decline.
“Even with fewer rigs operating this year, productivity gains in regions like the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale show the efficiency and innovation of Texas producers,” the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) declared in a recent report. Innovation, not ideology, is what’s keeping American energy on top—sorry, green dreamers, but facts don’t care about feelings.
Globally, oil demand is revving up, with the EIA revising estimates twice this quarter, including a hefty 500,000 barrels per day bump for 2024. They now project demand will climb by nearly 1 million barrels daily through 2026. Texas is poised to meet that hunger, no question.
On the natural gas front, U.S. exports are surging, with net exports up 42% year over year in November, per EIA data. America’s on track to overtake Russia as the world’s top natural gas exporter, and Texas is paving the way with pipeline projects exceeding 20 billion cubic feet per day underway.
“Natural gas is entering a new era, and Texas is leading it,” said R. Dean Foreman, Ph.D., chief economist at TXOGA. While progressive agendas push untested energy fads, Texas is building infrastructure for real, reliable power—now that’s leadership.
Liquified natural gas (LNG) exports are another feather in America’s cap, bolstered by long-term procurement strategies that dodge volatile spot-market prices. Texas energy exports are expected to top $220 billion this year, a lifeline for allies abroad and stability at home.
Pipeline construction in Texas is ramping up to meet future LNG demand, with over 25 billion cubic feet per day of projects announced. This isn’t just growth; it’s a strategic move to ensure America’s energy dominance while others dither on policy.
Even as global supply is projected to rise by 2.8 million barrels per day in 2025 and 1.3 million in 2026, mostly from non-OPEC sources, the EIA predicts U.S. growth will slow to 0.2 million barrels daily by 2026. Some experts, however, call this overly cautious, and given Texas’ track record, it’s hard not to side with the optimists.
In a year plagued by inflation pressures, Texas energy has been a quiet hero, delivering affordability and reliability to U.S. households and global consumers. While some push costly, unproven alternatives, Texas keeps the lights on without breaking the bank.
Permian Basin associated gas isn’t expected to drop off sharply despite market shifts, further solidifying supply resilience. That’s the kind of dependability that cuts through the noise of trendy energy policies.
At the end of the day, Texas isn’t just producing oil and gas; it’s producing stability in a world desperate for it. While others debate, Texas drills—and America reaps the benefits. Let’s hope policymakers take note before chasing the next shiny distraction.
