Texas Porch

Oil and Gas

Oil and gas activity here is regulated by the Texas Railroad Commission

Matagorda County has a long history of oil and gas production, and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates all wells and operators in the county.

Matagorda County Rules & Licenses

Gas was struck at Big Hill in 1901, and producing oilfields were established in the county by 1913. Output grew for many decades and peaked near 7 million barrels in 1965. Oil and gas activity still goes on today.

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) regulates all oil and gas wells and operators in the county. Despite the name, the RRC handles oil and gas — not trains.

If you own land here, the RRC has a free public map tool online. You can search by location to see nearby wells, pipelines, and permits. If you are buying rural land, find out whether the seller owns the mineral rights. In this area, mineral rights are often owned separately from the land itself. Check the RRC's website before you sign.

Source to confirm: Texas Railroad Commission — Public GIS Viewer

More Matagorda County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two separate offices handle property taxes here

Matagorda County has two separate offices for property taxes — one sets values, and one collects the bills.

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Homestead Exemption

Homestead exemption cuts your school tax bill

Texas law requires school districts to exempt a set amount of your home's value from school taxes — but you must file to get it.

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Coastal Windstorm Insurance

Coastal homes may need windstorm insurance through the state

Matagorda County is one of 14 Texas coastal counties where private windstorm insurance can be hard to get, so many homeowners use the state's backup insurer instead.

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Flood Maps

Flood maps for this county were recently revised

FEMA released revised preliminary flood maps for Matagorda County in early 2025, which could change flood insurance requirements for some properties.

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