Energy industry groups tell Senate committee Texas leads production; urge LNG buildout, workforce supports and more enforcement on oilfield theft

Industry representatives told the Senate Natural Resources Committee that Texas stands near the top of global oil-and-gas production and urged the legislature to support infrastructure and workforce measures, accelerate export approvals and step up enforcement against organized oilfield theft.

Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil and Gas Association, said Texas production continues to grow despite fewer rigs, citing industry efficiency and technology as drivers of higher output with fewer drilling rigs. Staples noted the sector supports hundreds of thousands of direct jobs and said industry-paid severance and other taxes contributed roughly $27.3 billion in state and local taxes and royalties in the most recent year described. He told the committee the state must provide…