Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin

(132,440 posts)
Fri Dec 26, 2025, 03:49 PM 8 hrs ago

America's biggest oil field is turning into a pressure cooker

Shale drillers have turned the biggest oil field in the U.S. into a pressure cooker that is literally bursting at the seams.

Producers in the Permian Basin of West Texas and New Mexico extract roughly half of the U.S.’s crude. They also produce copious amounts of toxic, salty water, which they pump back into the ground. Now, some of the reservoirs that collect the fluids are overflowing—and the producers keep injecting more.

It is creating a huge mess.

A buildup in pressure across the region is propelling wastewater up ancient wellbores, birthing geysers that can cost millions of dollars to clean up. Companies are wrestling with drilling hazards that make it more costly to operate and complaining that the marinade is creeping into their oil-and-gas reservoirs. Communities friendly to oil and gas are growing worried about injection.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/america-s-biggest-oil-field-is-turning-into-a-pressure-cooker/ar-AA1T34Y1

They made their money. WTF do they care?

2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
America's biggest oil field is turning into a pressure cooker (Original Post) Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin 8 hrs ago OP
They made their money... 2naSalit 7 hrs ago #1
My husband grew up there mountain grammy 3 hrs ago #2

2naSalit

(99,760 posts)
1. They made their money...
Fri Dec 26, 2025, 04:23 PM
7 hrs ago

Now the objective is to not have to spend it cleaning up the messes they've made.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Environment & Energy»America's biggest oil fie...