The Texas Petro Index by petroleum economist Karr Ingham declined for the ninth straight month in November to 195.1 after reaching a high this year of 213.2 in February. The peak of the index, based on a comprehensive set of economic indicators, was 313.9 in November 2014 (base 100 in January 1955). The index declined in November despite an increase in production in the past year (since November 2018) of 11.0 percent in crude oil and 11.6 percent in natural gas. The price of oil (monthly average) was up 0.4 percent in the past year, and the price of gas was down 46.2 percent (first of month spot index). Also compared to a year ago, rig count was down 23.1 percent, and drilling permits (year to date) were down 13.2 percent. Total industry employment (year to date) is up 2.2 percent, and oil and gas extraction employment (year to date) is up 4.3 percent.