Karr Ingham’s Texas Petro Index increased for the second consecutive month to 213.2 in February from 212.5 in January. The index had declined the two previous months from 213.3 in October to 212.4 in November and 212.2 in December. The index by Ingham, petroleum economist from Amarillo, is based on a comprehensive set of economic indicators in the oil and gas industry. It was established with a base of 100.0 in January 1995 and grew to a peak of 313.9 in November 2014 before falling to 146.6 in November 2016. A year ago February 2018 the index was 191.5. Prices for crude oil (down 12 percent) and natural gas (down 17 percent) have declined since February 2018, but rig counts, oil and gas production, and employment have increased.