Haven't been to Padre Island NS in that timeframe, but was in Corpus Christi and Rockport the first week of January. We were surprised to see at least three large drilling rigs and associated support structures when we visited Indian Point Park and Sunset Park in Corpus Christi. Those weren't there the last time we visited, and they're hard to miss. We also saw a few rigs during our whooping crane birding tour (by boat, provided by
Rockport Birding & Kayak Adventures) of the Intercoastal Waterway and
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.