This Texas basin was once called a ‘graveyard’ but now supports 853,924 jobs

A century ago, the Permian Basin was hardly the place anyone would have picked as an engine of the American economy. Early observers were so unimpressed by parts of the landscape that the region was dismissed as a “graveyard” according to WorldOil. Today, the same stretch of West Texas and southeastern New Mexico sits at the centre of one of the country’s most important energy-producing regions. Its impact now reaches far beyond oil wells and drilling rigs.According to Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA) 2024 report, the basin’s nationwide employment impact at 853,924 jobs, while activity connected to it generated about $18.2 billion in taxes for Texas and New Mexico. Roads, schools, hospitals, universities, suppliers and local businesses all sit within the economic chain created by the basin. And with projections pointing towards an even larger role by 2050, the Permian’s transformation is no longer just an oil story.How one US oil basin became a lifeline for communities across two statesThe 2024 report figures put the Permian Basin's nationwide employment impact at 853,924 jobs. These positions are not limited to workers directly involved in drilling and production. The wi...