Richard Scruggs

This is really good news! Texas Upstream Employment Rises Texas upstream employment rose in August, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) highlighted. Image by zorandimzr via iStock Texas upstream employment rose in August, the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) highlighted in a statement sent to Rigzone recently, which cited the latest Current Employment Statistics (CES) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). TIPRO highlighted in its statement that, according to the industry body, employment in the Texas upstream sector increased by 400 jobs between July and August 2026, “reflecting a decline of 100 jobs in oil and natural gas extraction (62,600) and an increase of 500 service sector jobs (133,300), subject to revisions”. TIPRO noted in its statement that Texas upstream employment ended August higher than where it started the year after two consecutive monthly declines. Employment rose from 192,400 jobs in January to a peak of 197,300 in May, then declined in June and July to a revised 195,500, before increasing to 195,900 in August, TIPRO highlighted, adding that that August total is 1,400 jobs, or 0.7 percent, below the May peak. Measured against the January starting point, upstream employment is up 3,500 jobs, or 1.8 percent, for the year, TIPRO pointed out in its statement, noting that this net gain “reflects a much larger increase of 5,800 jobs from a February low of 191,500 to the May peak of 197,300, following an early-year decline of 900 jobs in February”. “The June and July losses of 300 and 1,500 jobs, respectively, subsequently gave back a portion of that spring gain,” TIPRO highlighted. “August’s 400-job increase restored part of the July decline and ended the first back to back monthly losses of the year. July figures, initially reported as a 1,200-job decrease to 195,800, have since been revised and now reflect a 1,500-job decline from June to 195,500,” it added. TIPRO noted in its statement that month to month fluctuation of this kind is common in upstream employment data over the course of a year. It pointed out that this period “has been no exception, with declines in three of the seven monthly changes recorded so far, including the 900-job drop in February and the 1,500-job drop in July, the steepest monthly decline of the year”. In its statement, TIPRO highlighted that its workforce analysis “continues to indicate strong job postings for the Texas oil and natural gas industry”. According to the association, there were 11,641 unique industry job postings in Texas during the month of August, and 4,837 new job postings added during the month. In comparison, the state of Pennsylvania had 3,326 unique job postings in August, followed by California (3,232), Ohio (2,775) and New York (2,350), TIPRO outlined. Much more - limited by linkedin, or as it is becoming known lockedout https://lnkd.in/g-Chyu2r

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McGuireWoods LLP continues the strategic expansion of its energy M&A and finance capabilities with the addition of accomplished deal lawyer David Aaronson as a partner in Houston. Aaronson brings nearly 16 years of experience advising oil and gas companies, investors and lenders in energy and infrastructure deals. “McGuireWoods’ established energy transactional practice, depth across structured finance and restructuring, and collaborative culture make it the ideal platform to serve my clients and grow my practice,” Aaronson said. Aaronson’s arrival in McGuireWoods’ Houston office follows the addition earlier this year of partner Mundo de la Fuente, who advises energy, infrastructure and data center developers, as well as investors and lenders in project development and financing deals. https://lnkd.in/g5ZrXtZt

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https://lnkd.in/ggmmKZgV Japanese firms (Mitsubishi, JERA, Tokyo Gas) have made recent significant upstream investments in natural gas production and opportunities in the US. with many of these investments located in the Haynesville Shale of Louisiana and Texas. These investments are in line with the US-Japan trade agreements to lower the US reciprocal tariff on Japan to 15% from 25% in exchange for $550 Billion of potential Japanese investment in the US. While the recent investments satisfy the investment requirements under the US-Japan trade agreements signed in July of 2025, the individual acquiring companies have existing processing agreements with US LNG export facilities, for which they must procure their own feed gas. This creates an incentive for companies exposed to US LNG to also invest in upstream producing assets as a physical hedge for their Henry Hub-indexed LNG supplies. The Japanese government can claim compliance under the trade deal, but these investments align with the Japanese firms' long term strategies for their LNG export volumes. If you are looking for Haynesville drilling opportunities, please contact me.

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The Texas Oil & Gas Association has released their 2025 Energy and Economic Impact Report, which highlights the $1.4 billion in oil and natural gas royalties received last year by the Permanent School Fund (PSF).  The Texas PSF Corporation honors the vital role the oil and gas industry plays in strengthening the Texas economy, supporting the PSF, and benefiting public education statewide. Our thanks also goes to Land Commissioner (and Texas PSF Corp. board member) Dawn Buckingham and her Texas General Land Office staff, who carefully manage the 13 million acres of PSF lands from which this royalty revenue is generated. See TXOGA’s 2025 report here: https://lnkd.in/gkR3PXxm #TexasPSF #TexasOilandGas #TexasEconomy #TxEd

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Conventional reuse processes in the oil and gas industry rely on a fundamental irony: to clean the water, you have to create a "slop" or sludge. That sludge is a multi-million dollar veiled tax on your operations, requiring disposal fees and driving operational inefficiency. Our Zero Solids® technology, in conjunction with our EK One™ chemistry platform, is disrupting water recycling by preventing sludge from ever forming. We are ecstatic to be partnering with WT Oil & Gas to bring this new Zero Solids Recycle (ZSR®) system to the Permian Basin! The benefits are substantial: Maximum Oil Recovery: By eliminating solids, we liberate high-value hydrocarbons that were historically trapped and hauled away in sludge. Zero Solids Haul-Off: We’ve erased one of the most expensive line items in the reuse process. Industrial Scale Capacity: Currently processing over 200,000 barrels per day. Notable Fluid Stability: Recycled water that stays “frac-ready” for extended periods. If you’re still building sludge pits and trapping your oil in solids, you’re operating in the past. We’ve proven that "Zero" is possible!

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