Researchers Develop Economic Impact Report for Pipeline Industry

A group of four Texas Tech University professors were the driving forces behind a report commissioned by the Texas Pipeline Association (TPA) to show the economic impact the Texas oil and gas pipeline industry has on the state.

Bradley Ewing, a professor in the Rawls College of Business who specializes in the areas of energy, economics and law, led the group, which concluded that, in 2013, the pipeline industry contributed $33 billion in economic impact. The report also stated that the pipeline industry supports more than 165,000 high-paying jobs, added $18.7 billion more in gross state product and injected $1.6 billion in state and local government revenues.

This marked the first time the TPA has commissioned an economic impact report, and having Texas Tech faculty work on the study signifies the importance of the industry to this part of the state.

“It indicates we are recognized by the energy industry as leaders/experts in energy-related research,” Ewing said, “specifically in energy economics and petroleum engineering where we are able to conduct inter-disciplinary research in new ways.”

Also on the team that developed the report are Terry McInturff, professor of practice and chairman of the area of energy, economics and law in the Rawls College of Business, Marshall C. Watson, professor and chair of the Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering in the Whitacre College of Engineering, and Daan Liang, an associate professor in the department of construction engineering and engineering technology in the Whitacre College of Engineering.

Three petroleum engineering students – Tariq Ali, Roland O. Ezewu and Ibegbuna Ezisi – all contributed to the project as well.

“We are proud to work alongside industry partners such as the Texas Pipeline Association, who recognize the value of employing the Texas Tech University research enterprise, which utilizes the scientific process to address critical issues of the day,” said Russell Thomasson, director of corporate engagement, for the Texas Tech University System.

The report also estimates that, over the next 10 years, the pipeline industry will contribute more than $374 billion in total economic impact, sustain 171,000 high-paying jobs annually, add more than $212 billion in gross state product and inject more than $19.5 billion in state and local government revenues.

Texas also has 48 percent of the total number of oil rigs in the United States and 25 percent of the world’s total rig count.

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