A recent report by the Texas Workforce Commission shows that oil and gas employment fell by 500 jobs in November compared to October, according to the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA).

The drop ended a 23-month long consecutive increase in upstream job growth, TXOGA said in a Jan. 4 release.

In its release, TXOGA categorized upstream activity as oil and natural gas extraction and support activities for mining and excluded other industry sectors such as refining, petrochemicals, fuels wholesaling, oilfield equipment manufacturing, pipelines and gas utilities.

“We have seen tremendous growth in the oil and natural gas industry in Texas, including consistent job expansion, but growth is not guaranteed,” TXOGA President Todd Staples said in a statement noting innovation, efficiency and policies that encourage safe and responsible development are the keys to weathering fluctuations in the market.

The current employment statistics data series used to calculate employment figures is frequently revised for the most recent year or two of data, especially on a month-by-month basis. “It is possible that this 500-job variation could be revised in the next few months, either upward or downward,” Staples continued.

Overall, the Lone Star State added 14,000 jobs in November despite the drop in upstream oil and gas employment, according to the Texas Workforce Commission report released in late December.

Notably, the Midland Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded the month’s lowest unemployment rate among Texas MSAs with a non-seasonally adjusted rate of 2.1%, the state agency said.