In 2011, the oil and gas industry in Texas experienced growth in nearly every sector, including drilling permits and employment. According to a report by the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers (TAEP), higher oil prices in Texas resulted in a ripple effect that resulted in an across-the-board increase in energy payrolls in the state. As a result, the state of Texas enjoyed strong economic performance in 2011 while the rest of the United States continued to struggle with the effects of a recession.