By aligning with your existing operational data, we transform severance tax from a routine filing exercise into a consistent source of liquidity and strategic value.
Texas severance tax is a significant cost for oil and gas producers, yet it remains one of the most overlooked opportunities for value creation. While the tax is calculated based on the value of production at the wellhead, the actual liability is determined by complex valuation methodologies, specific deductions, and exemption eligibility. At Opportune, we move beyond basic compliance to ensure your severance tax position is both accurate and optimized.
We combine technical tax expertise with a practical understanding of upstream operations to identify data-driven opportunities that drive measurable results. By aligning with your existing operational data, we transform severance tax from a routine filing exercise into a consistent source of liquidity and strategic value.
We ensure all allowable post-production costs are captured and properly calculated to reduce your taxable value. Our reviews focus on maximizing deductions across transportation, compression, treating, and processing costs.
Our team proactively identifies and applies key exemptions to reduce overall liability. This includes high-cost gas, stripper wells, enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects, and flared gas exemptions. We manage the entire lifecycle from initial eligibility evaluation to certification and ongoing compliance.
We identify high-impact planning opportunities that generate immediate savings. This includes specialized areas such as lease use gas repricing and the identification of contract-based tax reimbursements that are often overlooked in standard accounting.
Our recovery services focus on capturing value from the past through detailed historical reviews and amended filings. We support clients through the complexities of audit defense, providing the necessary documentation and technical substantiation to protect your tax positions.
Don't treat severance tax as a fixed cost of doing business. Opportune’s Severance Tax Advisory services empower producers to capture measurable savings and strengthen compliance through industry-specific insights. Our professionals act as an extension of your team, providing the technical depth needed to navigate state-imposed extraction taxes confidently.
Opportune LLP is not a CPA firm.
The tax is a state-imposed levy on the extraction of oil and natural gas, generally calculated at the wellhead based on the market value of production. However, the "true" taxable value is often lower once allowable deductions and exemptions are properly applied.
Producers often overlook various post-production costs that can be subtracted from the value at the wellhead. These typically include specific expenses related to the transportation, compression, and processing of the resource before it reaches the point of sale.
Yes. Through historical reviews of production data and previous filings, it is often possible to identify overpayments caused by missed exemptions or undercalculated deductions. These can be recovered through amended filings and formal refund claims.
Several state incentive programs exist to encourage specific types of production. Common examples include high-cost gas wells, stripper wells (low-production wells), and enhanced recovery projects. Proper certification and documentation are required to maintain these tax-advantaged statuses.