It's been a busy year for oil and gas drilling across Texas and in the Eagle Ford Shale.

For January-October, 2017, the Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) issued 4097 more (60%) oil and gas permits than last year. 1789 of those permits were granted to operators in Eagle Ford Shale counties, surpassing the total 2016 number of 1119.

Rig Count Increases Across Country; Flat in Eagle Ford

The RRC announced earlier this month that it issued 997 original drilling permits for the state in October, compared to 855 in October 2016. The breakdown includes:

• 885 new oil or gas wells permits
• 5 to re-enter plugged well bores permits
• 107 for re-completions of existing wells permits
• 236 oil, 46 gas, 646 oil or gas, 48 injection, zero service and 21 other permits

The Midland area continues to lead development for October, with the RRC issuing 440 to the region. Next was the San Antonio region with 126 oil and gas permits issued.

The RRC also reports that there have been 26 new field discoveries since the beginning of the year; 15 oil and 11 natural gas.

"In October 2017, Commission staff processed 257 oil, 91 gas, 39 injection and four other completions compared to 445 oil, 203 gas, 20 injection and zero other completions in October 2016. Total well completions processed for 2017 year to date are 5,799; down from 9,405 recorded during the same period in 2016."

— Texas Railroad Commission June Report