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Interesting Facts About the Permian Basin
Known as the largest oil-producing region in the United States, the Permian Basin has attracted oil seekers for decades. This large sedimentary basin is approximately 300 miles long and 250 miles wide spanning across west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. That’s about the same size as the state of North Dakota!
By Danielle Wills, Contributor | Posted December, 2022
Origins
The geology of the Permian basin is interesting with a deep history. Because of this unique geology, the Permian rocks. Origins of the Permian basin trace back 1.3 billion to 850 million years ago, when Precambrian tectonic events caused the basin to form. Then, during the Paleozoic Era about 541 million years ago, the basin was covered by a shallow seaway. This was so long ago that dinosaurs didn't even exist!
Black deep-water materials consisting of rich organics were present in the early years of the basin, which later became the source of the petroleum rich rocks present further down on the geologic timeline.
Fun Facts
The Permian Basin has been heavily relied upon throughout the world as a source of petroleum. In fact, half of the world’s petroleum resources have been derived from the basin. Earlier this year the Permian Basin alone accounted for more than 310 oil rigs compared to the over 210 rigs in the rest of the United States. The Permian produces over 16 million barrels of oil a day; about 5 more than the nation’s daily output – that’s a lot of oil!
Oil & gas isn’t the only natural resource produced by wells in the Permian Basin. Every year, large amounts (about 4-10 times more water than oil) of saltwater is extracted from the wells and is later recycled for use in fracturing. Salty!
And if you thought the Permian Basin was interesting, consider the Ghawar Field in Saudi Arabia, regarded as the largest basin in world spanning more than 2,000 square miles!
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