Oil and Gas Exploration and Development

District I covers the western part of Texas, and includes the Permian Basin and other prolific oil and gas-producing fields. The structural complexity contributes to the fields' productivity in the District. Production is drived from many horizons of many ages. Secondary and teriary production using new technologies will extend production life for many years.

Sulfur and Other Mineral Resources

Sulfur production from large horizontal carbonate/gypsum units within evaporitic beds of Permian age host large sulfur reserves of bacterial origin. Other mineral occurrences have been reported.

Environmental Issues

Water Supplies

In a population of rapid growth, nearly full employment, and a free economy, Texas residents debate the age-old conflict between industrial development and the status quo, resource utilization and appropropriate management, and associated environmental issues. But population growth and economic development, coupled with a climate in which surface-water resources are scarce, have imposed real and potential water-supply problems in many areas of Texas.

In much of Texas, available surface storage capacity in existing reservoirs will barely be sufficient to meet water demands of continued industrialization and urban development, especially during critical droughts which are common occurrences over the long term. Extensive development of the readily available ground water has progressed rapidly over the past 20 years but has resulted in several problems, some local in nature, while others are more widespread. Problems of water quality, both from natural and man-made causes (e.g., nitrates), are expected to affect the suitability for use of water from portions of Texas' aquifers in the future. Natural pollution, primarily sodium chloride, results from salt springs and salt flats within drainage areas of the basins.

In some areas, this problem has been aggravated to some extent by oil and gas exploration and production activities. Mining has also been indicated as contributing to pollution. Balancing resources and local needs to maintain economic growth and development are the primary goals in Texas.

More than 50 percent of Texas in underlain by seven major aquifers and 16 minor aquifers. Because of industrial and urban development, long-term use of ground water is lowering water levels to the extent costs of production are increasing rapidly. Surface-water reservoirs are being developed in west Texas, and elsewhere, to offset the foreseeable problems of the future.

For additional information on the oil & gas and other resources of West Texas, see the web sites of the West Texas Geological Society (here) and the Permian Basin Geophysical Society.

References:

Spearing, D., 1991, Roadside Geology of Texas, Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, MT, 418 p.

Fisher, W. L. , and W. E. Galloway, 1983, Potential for Additional Oil Recovery in Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology Geological Circular 83-2, pp.6-7.

Campbell, M.D., et al., 1977, Geology {and Environmental Impact of} Alternate Energy Resources in South-Central United States , Chapter 2: Trend Exploration-Uranium, Houston Geological Society, pp.45-66.

Campbell, M.D., et al., 1977, Geology {and Environmental Impact of} Alternate Energy Resources in South-Central United States, Chapter 6: Frontier Exploration-Lignite, Houston Geological Society, pp.125-159.

Campbell, M.D., et al., 1977, Geology {and Environmental Impact of} Alternate Energy Resources in South-Central United States, Chapter 12: Trend Exploration-Geopressured Geothermal Energy, Houston Geological Society, pp. 251-273.

Campbell, M.D., et al., 1977, Geology {and Environmental Impact of} Alternate Energy Resources in South-Central United States, Chapter 4: Environmental Considerations-Uranium, Houston Geological Society, pp. 83-109.

Campbell, M.D., et al., 1977, Geology {and Environmental Impact of} Alternate Energy Resources in South-Central United States, Chapter 9: Environmental Considerations-Lignite, Houston Geological Society, pp. 193-202.

Campbell, M.D., et al., 1977, Geology {and Environmental Impact of} Alternate Energy Resources in South-Central United States, Chapter 14: Environmental Considerations-Geopressured Geothermal Energy, Houston Geological Society, pp. 297-336.

Evans, T. J., 1974, Bituminous Coal in Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology Handbook 4, 65 p.

Kaiser, W. R., et.al., 1980, Lignite Resources in Texas , Bureau of Economic Geology Report of Investigations No. 104, 52 p.

Jones, D. C., 1973, An Investigation of the Nitrate Problem in Runnels County, Texas, Texas Water Development Board, EPA-R2-73-267, June, pp.6-7.

Brown, L. F., et al., 1976, Environmental Geologic Atlas of Texas Coastal Zone- Corpus Christi Area, Bureau of Economic Geology, 123 p.

Bebout, D. G., et al., 1976, Geothermal Resources, Frio Formation, Upper Texas Gulf Coast, Bureau of Economic Geology Geological Circular 76-3, 47 p.

Dorfman, M., and R. O. Kehle, 1974, Potential Geothermal Resources of Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology Geothermal Circular 74-4, 33 p.

Smith, G. E., et al., 1982, Regional Hydrodynamics and Hydrochemistry of the Uranium-Bearing Oakville Aquifer (Miocene) of South Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology Report of Investigations No. 124, 31 p.

Galloway, W. E., et al., 1982, Depositional Framework, Hydrostratigraphy, and Uranium Mineralization of the Oakville Sandstone (Miocene), Texas Coastal Plain, Bureau of Economic Geology Report of Investigations No. 113, 51 p.

Collins, E. W., et al., 1980, Quaternary Faulting in East Texas, Bureau of Economic Geology Geological Circular 80-1, 20 p.

Anon., 1984, Water for Texas: A Comprehensive Plan for the Fututre, November, Texas Dept. of Water Resources GP-4-1, 72 p.

Ashworth, J. B., and J. Hopkins, 1995, Aquifers of Texas, Texas Water Development Board Report 345, November, 69 p.