We've always had a growth issue. Technology is strong, too, he said, with about 1,600 employees. Ehrie expressed concern, however, for agriculture, which suffered a disastrous year in 2000 when rains arrived too late for crops. Cotton and wheat withered in the heat as the Abilene area experienced its third year of drought in the past four years. Farm observers were hopeful that fourth-quarter rains in 2000 would provide a good base for winter wheat in 2001.
Strong demand exists for natural gas.
Bill Stevens of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers said the production decline represents wells that were shut in due to prices too low to justify operating marginal wells, also known as stripper wells. And even though oil prices improved, oil production did not recover immediately, he said. Worldwide, the demand for oil is still up, according to Stevens. In Abilene, oil drilling contractors report they are staying busy in 2001, following good third and fourth quarters in 2000. Stevens said he is optimistic about the future.