After practically disappearing during the months after COVID-19 hit here last spring, oil exploration activity here is now making a strong comeback. More permits for new oil drilling ventures in Dawson County were issued by the Texas Railroad Commission during the first six months of 2021 than all of last year. Information posted online by the Railroad Commission shows 22 permits for new drilling operations in Dawson County were issued through the end of June, with one more so far in July. Only 16 such permits were issued during all of 2020, with six of those being approved during the final month of ...