Federal study finds months of untapped energy beneath West Texas

A recent federal assessment suggests that Texas may have much more oil and natural gas than previously anticipated, highlighting unexplored resources in the Permian Basin of West Texas.

The U.S. Geological Survey found 28.3 trillion cubic feet of technically recoverable natural gas and 1.6 billion barrels of oil in the Permian Basin's Woodford and Barnett shale formations. According to federal scientists, the volumes could supply 10 months' worth of U.S. natural gas and 10 weeks' worth of oil at current usage rates.

The results highlight the importance of the Permian Basin, the nation's most prolific oil field, and how drilling and production technology are changing economic viability estimates.

The assessment is notable for its wide range and depth of resources. The Woodford and Barnett shales, from West Texas to southeastern New Mexico, are deeper than many formations that drove the Permian energy explosion. Some shales are 20,000 feet deep, according to the USGS.

The depth explains why the formations have contributed little to past output. The government reported that the Permian Woodford and Barnett shales have produced 26 million barrels of oil since the late 1990s, equivalent to one day of U.S. consumption.

The current estimate focuses on “technically recoverable” oil and gas that can be extracted with existing technologies regardless of market conditions. Previous counts missed these resources due to their unknown state or outdated drilling methods that restricted access.

Horizontal drilling, hydraulic fracturing, and seismic imaging have increased accessibility, especially in deep and complex formations, according to USGS officials.

“The U.S. economy and our way of life rely heavily on energy, and assessments from the USGS indicate that there are still undiscovered resources in the oil and gas sector,” said USGS director Ned Mamula. “Our assessment indicates that the Permian Basin Woodford and Barnett shales contain substantial undiscovered resources.”

The evaluation may not guarantee future output, but energy analysts say it emphasizes Texas' centrality in the domestic energy market and the continuous impact of technical developments on long-term resource predictions.

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