Energy Indicators
Gasoline and diesel prices have come down since the end of summer, with gasoline prices seeing a stronger decline. A drop in gasoline consumption contributed to bloated gasoline inventories, while consumption of diesel is still relatively healthy, contributing to higher refining margins for the heavier product.
November 29, 2023
State output remains distinctly Texan, while jobs mix increasingly resembles the U.S.
Lore and data have historically suggested that Texas is unlike any other place. Over the past 40 years, change has swept the state. Texas’ employment composition has increasingly come to resemble the entirety of the U.S., more so than even California or New York. But Texas economic output is another story.
November 17, 2023
Research Events
Direct Air Capture Panel Discussion
The University of California, Davis, and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas hosted a panel discussion on Nov. 15, 2023 that focused on the prospects for large-scale carbon removal via direct air capture technology and what role it should play in climate policy.
November 15, 2023
Energy Indicators
Oil and gas executives expect the rig count to remain at current levels at the start of next year. Exploration and production (E&P) firms—especially the smaller ones—are preparing to see higher well completion and drilling costs in 2024.
November 08, 2023
Permian Basin Economic Indicators
Permian Basin employment rose in the third quarter while wages declined. The unemployment rate was roughly unchanged. The region’s rig count declined, but the price of oil rose significantly.
October 31, 2023
Hotter summer days heat up Texans but chill the state economy
As climate change intensifies over the next decade, summer heat waves will likely become more common and severe. The effect on Texas GDP growth is likely to be twice as pronounced as in the rest of the U.S. Meanwhile, the effect on job growth will likely be relatively subdued but vary widely across sectors.
October 18, 2023
Record-breaking Texas summer heat tests the grid, ERCOT operations
Texas just witnessed its second-hottest summer ever and its highest electricity demand without experiencing interruption to electricity delivery.
October 17, 2023
Russian ruble buckles under trade sanctions, declining export earnings
Russia’s currency is losing value, falling 40 percent against the U.S. dollar since December 2022. With measures targeting Russian exports likely to persist, the country’s balance of payments will remain under pressure, leading to continuing currency weakness.
October 10, 2023
Energy Indicators
Resilient demand and constricted supply due to OPEC+ production cuts will leave crude oil balances in a deficit for the remainder of the year, even with continually increasing U.S. production.
October 05, 2023
Refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve offers chance to recalibrate its size
A series of emergency drawdowns, exchanges and planned sales since 2020 have reduced crude oil inventories held by the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve to a 40-year low. Calls to fully refill the SPR in recent months raise important questions.
October 03, 2023