Permian Basin leads record year for taxes and royalties paid by industry

The Texas Oil and Gas Association said this week the industry paid a record $16.3 billion in 2019 in taxes and royalties to the State of Texas, county governments and school districts. Todd Staples, president, told reporters Tuesday, “Despite the challenges associated with the global marketplace, state and local taxes and state royalties shattered records last year and exceeded $16 billion – up 16 percent from fiscal year 2018.” Staples said the industry contributes $44 million daily “to improve Texans’ quality of life… Teachers, schools, health care, roads, all are impacted by oil and gas taxes and royalties.”
The Houston Chronicle said Permian Basin of west Texas led the state in taxes and royalties received. “School districts there received $653.7 million,” the Chronicle said, “while the region’s counties received $208.9 million.” Top county was Reeves with $41.6 million (four times Reeves’ collections in 2018), and top school district was Pecos-Barstow-Toyah ISD in Delaware Basin with $109.2 million (up 266 percent).