Combating Oil & Gas Theft - Training Highlights Threats, Equipment

The territory of the El Paso Division's Midland Resident Agency encompasses one of the largest oil and natural gas production regions in the U.S.—the Permian Basin. In the last four years the region has suffered $85 million in losses from the theft of oilfield equipment and raw product.

A continually growing market exists for stolen equipment and product, much of which is transported out of Texas or to Mexico. To counter this threat, the El Paso Division formed a major theft task force known as the Permian Basin Oilfield Theft Task Force. Participating agencies include sheriff's deputies from three of the region's most affected counties (Midland, Ector, and Andrews) and the Texas Rangers.