Rep. Tony Gonzales Joins West Texas Law Enforcement, Oil and Gas Industry Leaders in Odessa to Combat Oil Field Theft

ODESSA, TEXAS -Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined West Texas law enforcement, oil and gas industry leaders, and Texas lawmakers for a roundtable focused on combating oil theft in the Permian Basin.

"West Texas produces 15 percent of the world's energy resources, so our global and national security interests are directly tied to protecting Texas' energy industry," said Congressman Tony Gonzales. "Across the Permian Basin, oil and gas producers are losing billions of dollars due to oilfield theft. When President Biden opened the floodgates at the border, criminal activity in the Permian Basin skyrocketed. This is a critical issue that Congress needs to address, and my Protect the Permian Act gives law enforcement the resources to do so, in addition to hiking criminal penalties for anyone who dares steal from our oil fields. Energy security is national security, and our oil and gas industry has an ally in me to protect the Permian."

Congressman Gonzales' Protect the Permian Act will increase criminal penalties for stealing, transporting, or selling stolen oil and oilfield-related equipment.

It also formally establishes and supports an FBI-led task force to combat oilfield theft and expands federal resources to law enforcement agencies that assist with combating oilfield crime. The Protect the Permian Act is endorsed by the Oil & Gas Workers Association, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, and the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.

Background:

Since 2008, the FBI has partnered with local law enforcement through the Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force to investigate oilfield theft, gather intelligence, and combat the increasing theft in the region.

During a House Appropriations Committee hearing in May, Congressman Gonzales noted the significance of the Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force to FBI Director Kash Patel and the critical work the task force does to safeguard the integrity of the nation's largest oil-producing region.

Oil and gas theft presents a significant threat to both the economic stability and national security of the United States, with truckloads of oil and valuable equipment frequently stolen. These stolen assets are sold on the black market, fueling the illicit economy in West Texas.

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