Permian Basin Oil Boom

The Permian Basin Oil Boom was a rapid increase in oil and natural gas extraction in western Texas and southeastern New Mexico, starting around 2010. Advanced drilling techniques like hydraulic fracturing (fracking) and horizontal drilling unlocked vast underground hydrocarbon reserves previously difficult to access. This led to a surge in oil production, boosting the U.S. from a major importer to a leading exporter, creating economic growth and jobs in the region. However, it also raised environmental concerns related to water use, earthquakes, and pollution. The boom significantly transformed the energy landscape and regional economies.