Permian Basin fossil fuel projects are causing ground displacement, report

Oil and gas drilling is causing monumental changes in the landscape of the Permian Basin, America’s largest oil field spanning West Texas and New Mexico, reports the Wall Street Journal.

The industrial-scale drilling in the Delaware Basin has bolstered the nation’s energy sector and fueled economic growth. Nearly 3 million barrels of oil are drilled a day in the area.

But the frenzied oil production, surpassing Kuwait’s crude drilling, has led to land sinking by up to 11 inches since 2015. Certain areas have lifted by 5 inches, notably in the Delaware portion of the Permian Basin.

Why is it happening?
Drillers are extracting gargantuan amounts of oil and subterranean water.

On average, nearly five to six barrels of water are taken out for every barrel of oil. The polluted wastewater is disposed of into underground wells in other areas.

Wastewater equivalent to New York City’s five-month water consumption is injected into the Delaware area each year.

The constant extraction and injection of water across the Permian Basin is causing ground displacement.

Texas experiences more expansion due to New Mexico’s water disposal restrictions, due to which companies transport over 2 million barrels of water a day into Texas.

Environmental red flags
Local communities fear contamination of drinking water sources and witness earthquakes linked to drilling activities.

Data from Earth observation company SkyGeo reveals ground displacement causing concerns about infrastructure damage, particularly to roads.

Companies are exploring alternative disposal methods and water treatment for reuse.

However, historical instances, like California’s sinking Port of Long Beach and seismic activity in the Netherlands, make environmentalists and residents concerned about the long-term impact of these fossil fuel extractions.