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Central Basin Platform Data, History & Stats
This guide provides information about the Central Basin Platform, oil and gas data, history, top operators, and other facts.
Overview
Central Basin Oil and Gas
The Central Basin is part of the larger Permian Basin, the most prolific oil-producing region in the United States.
Many legendary oil discoveries were made on the Central Basin Platform, starting in the 1920s.
Central Basin: Subbasin of the largest oil-producing region in the US.
The region has been producing for nearly a century and still contains massive resources of oil and gas. In April of 2022, The Permian Basin accounted for 43.6% of oil production within the U.S. and nearly 15% of gas production.Â
What is the Central Basin?
The Central Basin, a distinctive geological feature within the Permian Basin, occupies a substantial area in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico, USA. Spanning approximately 7,000 square miles (18,000 square kilometers), the Central Basin Platform is bounded by its neighboring basins and platforms.
To the east, the Central Basin is bordered by the Midland Basin, another major sub-basin of the Permian Basin. On the western side sits the Delaware Basin, another prominent sub-basin of the Permian Basin.Â
The Central Basin: History, Data and Facts
The history of oil production in the Central Basin is proof of the region’s critical role in the development of the oil industry. The Central Basin’s oil production traces back to the early 20th century, and its growth has been shaped by technological advancements, exploration efforts, and economic factors.Â
When and how did it start?
The Central Basin’s oil history began with the discovery of the Yates Oil Field in 1926 near the city of Iraan, Texas. The Yates Field marked the start of significant oil production in the region. It was discovered through wildcat drilling efforts led by independent oilmen. The Yates discovery opened the door to further exploration and development within the Central Basin Platform.
The 1930s marked a period of rapid expansion in oil production within the Central Basin. The development of new fields and the implementation of enhanced drilling techniques led to increased output. The oil boom in the Central Basin and other parts of Texas contributed to the state’s emergence as a major player in the oil industry.
The late 20th century and early 21st century witnessed further growth in oil production due to the application of advanced technologies like horizontal drilling and waterflooding. The Central Basin’s hydrocarbon-rich formations, such as the San Andres and Grayburg formations, became focal points for exploration and production efforts.Â
Top counties [March 2013 - March 2023]
| Ranking | County | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (bo/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrews | Texas | 500 | 19,881 |
| 2 | Winkler | Texas | 115 | 6,033 |
| 3 | Ector | Texas | 112 | 4,418 |
| 4 | Crane | Texas | 198 | 3,327 |
| 5 | Gaines | Texas | 107 | 1,800 |
| 6 | Lea | New Mexico | 18 | 574 |
| 7 | Ward (TX) | Texas | 16 | 493 |
| 8 | Upton | Texas | 19 | 150 |
| 9 | Pecos | Texas | 5 | 11 |
Top 40 oil operators [March 2013 - March 2023]
| Ranking | Operators | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (Bo/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevation Resources | Texas | 63 | 7,506 |
| 2 | Ring Energy | Texas | 230 | 4,347 |
| 3 | Saddleback Exploration | Texas | 53 | 3,595 |
| 4 | Lime Rock Resources IV | Texas | 123 | 3,434 |
| 5 | Blackbeard | Texas | 50 | 2,874 |
| 6 | Fasken Oil | Texas | 4 | 2,037 |
| 7 | Occidental | Texas & New Mexico | 43 | 1,384 |
| 8 | Boyd & McWilliams | Texas | 6 | 1,268 |
| 9 | Zarvona Energy | Texas | 27 | 1,119 |
| 10 | Ares Energy | Texas | 5 | 976 |
| 11 | Crescent Energy | Texas | 41 | 932 |
| 12 | Maverick Natural Resources | Texas | 34 | 794 |
| 13 | Apache | Texas & New Mexico | 90 | 673 |
| 14 | Diamondback | Texas | 5 | 605 |
| 15 | Continental Resources | Texas | 1 | 529 |
| 16 | Bosque Texas Oil | Texas | 5 | 514 |
| 17 | JRC | Texas & New Mexico | 11 | 514 |
| 18 | Exxon Mobil | Texas | 30 | 385 |
| 19 | Sabinal Energy | Texas | 8 | 372 |
| 20 | Texland Petroleum | Texas | 12 | 322 |
| 21 | Avad Operating | Texas | 23 | 313 |
| 22 | Slant Operating | Texas | 68 | 276 |
| 23 | Manzano | Texas & New Mexico | 2 | 218 |
| 24 | Burleson Petroleum | Texas | 2 | 207 |
| 25 | Burk Royalty | Texas | 9 | 205 |
| 26 | Parallel | Texas | 12 | 189 |
| 27 | Raptor Petroleum | Texas | 8 | 180 |
| 28 | Nec Operating | Texas | 16 | 150 |
| 29 | Ica Energy | Texas | 4 | 141 |
| 30 | Mewbourne Oil | Texas | 13 | 125 |
| 31 | Morningstar Operating | Texas | 2 | 110 |
| 32 | Sozo Natural Resources | Texas | 11 | 99 |
| 33 | Custer & Wright Operating | Texas | 1 | 58 |
| 34 | Kinder Morgan | Texas | 1 | 37 |
| 35 | Walsh & Watts | Texas | 5 | 32 |
| 36 | WTG Exploration | Texas | 4 | 26 |
| 37 | Montare | Texas | 2 | 20 |
| 38 | Sundown Energy | Texas | 1 | 20 |
| 39 | Strand Energy | Texas | 1 | 18 |
| 40 | Opal Resources Operating | Nex Mexico | 1 | 16 |
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The Central Basin Gas Production
When and how did it start?
The initial focus of the Central Basin was primarily on oil production, and natural gas was often considered an associated or byproduct of oil production. During the early years of oil exploration and production in the Central Basin, any natural gas produced was typically flared or released into the atmosphere due to limited infrastructure and market demand for the gas itself.
As the demand for natural gas grew, especially for residential and industrial use, the industry began to recognize the value of natural gas as a marketable resource. This transition took place over the mid-20th century, driven by advancements in pipeline infrastructure and gas processing technologies. These advancements made it economically viable to extract and utilize natural gas from remote fields, including those within the Central Basin.
Starting in the latter half of the 20th century and continuing into the 21st century, the Central Basin’s natural gas production experienced notable growth.
Gas production over the last 10 years
Top counties [March 2013 - March 2023]
| Ranking | County | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (Mcf/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrews | Texas | 500 | 55,682 |
| 2 | Winkler | Texas | 115 | 12,784 |
| 3 | Ector | Texas | 112 | 10,891 |
| 4 | Crane | Texas | 198 | 7,223 |
| 5 | Gaines | Texas | 107 | 3,099 |
| 6 | Ward (TX) | Texas | 16 | 1,254 |
| 7 | Lea | New Mexico | 18 | 1,075 |
| 8 | Upton | Texas | 19 | 33 |
| 9 | Pecos | Texas | 5 | 0 |
Top 50 natural gas operators [March 2013 - March 2023]
| Ranking | Counties | State | Horizontal Well Count - March 2023 | Daily Production (Mcf/d) - March 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elevation Resources | Texas | 63 | 27,353 |
| 2 | Fasken Oil | Texas | 4 | 7,013 |
| 3 | Saddleback Exploration | Texas | 53 | 6,655 |
| 4 | Lime Rock Resources IV | Texas | 123 | 6,577 |
| 5 | Maverick Natural Resources | Texas | 34 | 5,623 |
| 6 | Blackbeard | Texas | 50 | 5,468 |
| 7 | Ring Energy | Texas | 230 | 5,145 |
| 8 | Occidental | Texas & New Mexico | 43 | 5,121 |
| 9 | Zarvona Energy | Texas | 27 | 4,695 |
| 10 | Crescent Energy | Texas | 41 | 2,885 |
| 11 | Bosque Texas Oil | Texas | 5 | 2,505 |
| 12 | Apache | Texas & New Mexico | 90 | 2,128 |
| 13 | JRC | Texas & New Mexico | 11 | 1,674 |
| 14 | Ares Energy | Texas | 5 | 1,601 |
| 15 | Boyd & McWilliams | Texas | 6 | 1,510 |
| 16 | Exxon Mobil | Texas | 30 | 856 |
| 17 | Diamondback | Texas | 5 | 840 |
| 18 | Continental Resources | Texas | 1 | 788 |
| 19 | Slant Operating | Texas | 68 | 719 |
| 20 | Burleson Petroleum | Texas | 2 | 713 |
| 21 | Ica Energy | Texas | 4 | 510 |
| 22 | Mewbourne Oil | Texas | 13 | 311 |
| 23 | Sabinal Energy | Texas | 8 | 258 |
| 24 | Burk Royalty | Texas | 9 | 139 |
| 25 | Raptor Petroleum | Texas | 8 | 137 |
| 26 | Parallel | Texas | 12 | 123 |
| 27 | Sozo Natural Resources | Texas | 11 | 99 |
| 28 | Texland Petroleum | Texas | 12 | 91 |
| 29 | Sundown Energy | Texas | 1 | 85 |
| 30 | Avad Operating | Texas | 23 | 75 |
| 31 | Walsh & Watts | Texas | 5 | 64 |
| 32 | Custer & Wright Operating | Texas | 1 | 58 |
| 33 | Manzano | Texas & New Mexico | 2 | 35 |
| 34 | Nec Operating | Texas | 16 | 33 |
| 35 | Morningstar Operating | Texas | 2 | 30 |
| 36 | Montare | Texas | 2 | 29 |
| 37 | Strand Energy | Texas | 1 | 26 |
| 38 | Owl Ops II | Texas | 1 | 21 |
| 39 | BCP Resources | Texas | 1 | 13 |
| 40 | Kinder Morgan | Texas | 1 | 8 |
Natural resources in the Central Basin Platform
The Central Basin Platform possesses not only substantial hydrocarbon resources but also a range of valuable natural resources. Notably, it is characterized by its rich deposits of salt and potash, both of which are found within the Permian Salado Formation. These salt beds within the Permian Salado Formation are a crucial source of rock salt, or halite, which holds significant industrial importance, finding applications in chemical production and de-icing processes.
Potash, a vital source of potassium, plays a important role in supporting plant growth and agricultural activities. The discovery of Sylvite within the basin during the early 20th century marked the inception of potassium salt production, commonly referred to as potash.
The Central Basin formations
The Central Basin is characterized by a series of major formations that have played a crucial role in shaping its geological history and contributing to its significance as an energy-producing region. These formations, composed of various rock types and sediments, offer valuable insights into the platform’s evolution and the development of its hydrocarbon resources. Here are some of the major formations within the Central Basin Platform:
Major formations:
Yates
The Yates Formation consists of interbedded limestone, sandstone, and shale. It hosts hydrocarbon-bearing rocks and has been a target for oil exploration and development in the Central Basin Platform.
Queen
The Queen Formation is characterized by a mix of carbonate and clastic rocks, including limestone, sandstone, and shale. This formation has been a source of hydrocarbon reservoirs and has contributed to the platform’s oil production.
Grayburg
The Grayburg Formation is another important carbonate unit within the Central Basin Platform. Like the San Andres Formation, it consists of limestone and dolomite and contains hydrocarbon reservoirs. The Grayburg Formation has contributed to the region’s oil production and is an essential component of the platform’s geological stratigraphy.
San Andres
This carbonate-rich formation is one of the most prominent and economically significant in the Central Basin Platform. Comprising limestone and dolomite, the San Andres Formation is known for its oil-bearing reservoirs. It has been a target for oil exploration and production due to its porosity and permeability, which enable the storage and flow of hydrocarbons.
Clear Fork
The Clear Fork consists of several formations, including limestone and dolomite units. While not as prolific in terms of hydrocarbon production as some other formations, it contributes to the overall stratigraphy of the platform.
Wolfcamp
This formation consists of several layers of shale, siltstone, sandstone, and limestone, each possessing distinct characteristics that contribute to its hydrocarbon-bearing capacity. The Wolfcamp Formation is known for its vast oil and gas reserves, and it has been a focal point of exploration and production efforts within the Central Basin Platform
Enno Peters
