The Permian Basin:
* Covers an area about 250 miles wide by 300 long. That’s roughly 75,000 square miles. It encompasses both Big Bend National Park and the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
* It is situated in West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico, with the central production and service hubs in Odessa and Midland.
* It is the largest oil-producing field in the U.S., accounting for over 40% of U.S. oil production and about 15% of U.S. natural gas production. It produces over 4.2 million barrels of crude oil per day. An estimated 20 billion more barrels remain to be developed.
* The area also has sizable deposits of sulphur, which explains the funky smell.
* It is one of the largest employers in the U.S., accounting for over 850,000 jobs.
I went to the heart of the Permian Basin, in Odessa/Midland. Easily one of the highlights of the year. But don’t believe anyone who says it’s lovely to live here. It’s not. But, man, is it profitable.
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