Oil & Gas History
Oil Was Discovered in Frio County in the 1930s
Commercial oil production began in Frio County around 1930, and the Pearsall and Bigfoot fields became significant producers over the following decades.
Frio County's economy was built on cattle and cotton for decades. That changed when oil was discovered around 1930. By 1952, more than 100 wells were operating in the Pearsall and Bigfoot fields. The Handbook of Texas records that the Pearsall field produced about 60 million barrels and the Bigfoot field about 29 million barrels by 1989.
If you are buying rural land in Frio County, mineral rights are a serious consideration. The Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) tracks active wells and permits. You can search production history and operator records at rrc.texas.gov.
Source to confirm: Handbook of Texas Online — Frio County