A 25 percent increase in oil and natural gas production could mean more than 3,000 additional jobs in the industry in New Mexico, according to the Western Energy Alliance (WEA).

WEA cited data from economic research firm John Dunham & Associates in a news release, which also said the additional jobs would bring the total number of upstream oil and gas employees in the state to 35,230.

"President Trump has clearly signaled a shift away from punishing the industry to actually encouraging domestic production," said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, in a news release. "As a result, the western oil and natural gas industry could help him create jobs and economic opportunity across the nation."

New Mexico's oil and gas industry employed 32,200 last year, second only to Colorado's 56,163.

The news release cited the potential increase in production would likely be attributed to "pro-development" policies by the Trump administration.

"The Trump administration and Congress are addressing overreaching regulations from the Obama Administration, which means we can get on with responsible development of American oil and natural gas," Sgamma said.

The Western Energy Alliance is a non-profit trade association that represents more than 300 oil and gas exploration and production companies.

image: pixabay.com