Texas energy producers are setting new records in oil and natural gas output while cutting methane emissions, defying critics who continue to blame the industry for environmental harm. A new report from Texans for Natural Gas, a campaign under the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO), confirms substantial environmental progress alongside historic energy production in the Permian Basin.
The Permian Basin, spanning over 86,000 square miles in West Texas, now accounts for nearly 40% of U.S. oil production and 15% of natural gas output. Yet even as production surged, emissions dropped. The 2023 methane intensity rate in the Permian fell to 0.49 metric tons per barrel of oil equivalent—an 83% reduction since 2011. During that time, total production soared by 482%.
Flaring intensity, a key metric for measuring gas emissions, has also sharply declined. In 2023, flaring levels were 65% lower than in 2015 and 47% lower than in 2018, despite a 25% increase in production. Preliminary 2024 data indicates an additional 14% reduction.
Industry leaders credit cutting-edge technology and private-sector innovation for the results. TIPRO President Ed Longanecker emphasized the role of American ingenuity in delivering both energy security and environmental responsibility. Texas Oil & Gas Association President Todd Staples echoed the sentiment, stating that energy production and environmental stewardship can—and must—coexist.
The report also highlights the critical need for expanded pipeline infrastructure. Longanecker and longtime industry executive Richard Welch argue that permitting reform is urgently needed at the federal level. High-capacity pipeline projects completed in 2024 have already improved transport efficiency, but federal delays still cripple progress. Welch points out that while Texas can approve projects in months, it takes the federal government an average of 3.5 years.
Welch says the Trump administration, working with Congress, has the opportunity to repeal outdated regulations, restore states’ rights, and return regulatory order to America’s energy industry. Without reform, bureaucratic delays will continue to stall economic growth, job creation, and energy security.
