Source: ISHN.com
Several key legislative measures have been introduced in the Texas Legislature to combat the rise in oil field theft, particularly targeting cartel activity. These efforts aim to strengthen enforcement, improve coordination, and reduce financial losses for Texas oil and natural gas producers.
Oil field theft has long been a significant problem for Texas oil and natural gas producers, and in recent years, the issue has intensified. With the surge of illegal border crossings and cartel activity under the Biden Administration, organized theft in the oil fields escalated, resulting in massive financial losses for the industry. In response, several key legislative measures have been introduced in the Texas Legislature to tackle this growing concern.
Senator Kevin Sparks, R-Midland, who is also an executive in the oil and natural gas industry, has filed several bills aimed at addressing oil field theft. One of the most important is SB 1320, which would create the Organized Oilfield Theft Prevention Unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety. This unit would investigate oil and natural gas thefts, focusing on cartel-related activity, and would be headquartered in the Permian Basin. It would also educate the public and industry professionals about theft prevention and maintain a centralized oilfield theft database.
Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA), spoke in the past on such matters, acknowledging the significant financial toll that oil field theft takes on producers. “Commonly targeted items include oil, pipe, construction materials, and items like wire, batteries, and generators, which contain precious metals such as copper, aluminum, and nickel,” Staples explained. He emphasized that while theft has always been an issue, the involvement of cartels has made the problem far more organized and difficult to address.
In addition to SB 1320, Sparks has filed other legislation, including SB 1043, to improve coordination between local law enforcement and the oil and gas industry. The bill expands an advisory committee to include experts in tubular steel theft and representatives from the industry to better combat theft. Additionally, Sparks, along with Representative Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa, introduced SB 494 and HB 1647 to create a Theft of Petroleum Products Task Force within the Texas Railroad Commission, which will study oil field theft’s long-term economic impact.
Texas has previously made progress in addressing oil field theft, such as with the passing of SB 1871 in 2017, which established felony-level penalties for theft of oil and gas equipment. However, as cartel activity continues to rise, legislators are focused on strengthening these laws. “The passage of legislation to establish severe penalties for theft, along with increased employee training and collaboration with law enforcement, will help make a significant impact in discouraging oil field theft,” Staples said.
With these legislative actions, coordinated efforts between lawmakers, law enforcement, and producers will help reduce oil field theft and mitigate the financial damage it causes to Texas’ oil and natural gas sector.
