Rising Crime in the Oil Patch
Oilfield thefts are spreading across the Permian Basin, draining profits and endangering small producers from West Texas to southeast New Mexico. Investigators now estimate millions of dollars in losses tied to organized theft rings.
The problem gained national attention after authorities arrested five men linked to a Mexican cartel, accused of stealing oil on a large scale in New Mexico. The case underscored how deeply organized crime has penetrated energy operations in the region.
For many producers, the threat feels constant.
“It would be hard to find an oil executive who hasn’t been affected,” one security contractor said.
Survey Confirms Industry-Wide Impact
A recent Dallas Federal Reserve Bank survey found 41% of oil and gas executives reported theft within their operations last year. Most thefts targeted crude oil, but equipment losses are also common. Thieves often strip piping, valves, and copper wiring from production sites, leaving costly damage behind.
Rex Fleetwood, an investigator with the Lea County Sheriff’s Department, said the crimes can devastate smaller companies. “I know one independent oil company that had to sell out because of theft,” he said. “Someone stole a million dollars’ worth of pumpjacks off their wells.”
Oklahoma Companies Watch Closely
The wave of thefts near Oklahoma’s southern border has regional operators on alert. Producers working in both states say they’ve begun tightening site access, adding cameras, and using GPS trackers on heavy equipment.
Energy analysts note that while Oklahoma has not seen cartel-linked thefts on the same scale, increasing pipeline and drilling activity in the Anadarko Basin could make it a new target if law enforcement doesn’t stay ahead of the trend.
SOURCE: Click here for News-Sun – rewritten for clarity by Oklahoma Energy Today
