After Sand

Solar farms are already helping power Permian oilfield operations, and a new geothermal technology could be the next step in onsite energy generation.---Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine

The Eagle Ford Shale is back in the news. With the recent announcement that Devon Energy is selling its acreage position in the Eagle Ford to Crescent Energy for $4.22 billion, industry observers are again turning their thoughts to South Texas' big O&G play.---Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine

Drawing on stories shared by oilfield workers in the Reddit community r/oilandgasworkers, Jesse explores the myths, superstitions and unwritten taboos that have become a unique part of life and culture in the oilfield.---Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine

Since January of 2025—before Iran and the Strait of Hormuz issues—there have been tariff squabbles, import restrictions, and physical battles worldwide that have affected both supply chains and prices for key industrial supplies. Steel is a key metal for the oil industry, especially regarding oil country tubular goods (OCTG). Some oilfield chemicals are also vital, and some of those also relate to OCTG. How is all this geopolitical turmoil affecting oil and gas operations in the Permian? --- Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine

On the Texas side of the Permian Basin the state government is generally supportive of its oil and gas industry, known for setting up mostly reasonable laws and environmental rules. It’s one reason the region has repeatedly set production records in recent years. In New Mexico, about two-thirds of legislators are hostile to an industry that supplies about half of the government’s revenue. Despite the opposition, its two Permian counties are among the region’s most productive. ---  Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine

The Permian never really needed sand. It needed fractures that stayed open, hydrocarbons that could move, and an economic reason to keep doing it. As completions become more specialized and mature wells get a second look, the question is changing: What happens when the industry stops assuming sand is the answer? Increasingly, we’re asking: What job needs to be done?---Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine

A lighthearted look at water dowsing, PBOG editor Jesse Mullins explores the tradition of “witching” for groundwater, personal experiences with divining rods, and the ongoing debate over whether the practice is folklore, pseudoscience, or an unexplained phenomenon.---Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine

Natural gas is becoming a major force in the Permian Basin, as producers, midstream companies, and technology firms pursue new pipelines, LNG exports, data centers, and behind-the-meter power solutions to turn a longstanding oversupply challenge into a growing source of demand and opportunity. --- Permian Basin Oil & Gas

Oilfield operations are becoming increasingly data-driven, with AI-powered platforms helping operators connect thousands of data points, improve efficiency, reduce downtime, streamline logistics, and make remote asset monitoring more affordable and actionable across the energy sector. --- Permian Basin Oil & Gas

Houston and Midland are linked by a powerful energy ecosystem, with Permian Basin oil and gas production supporting the pipelines, refineries, businesses, and expertise that reinforce Houston’s role as a global energy hub.---Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine