"My bill, the Protect the Permian Act, increases criminal penalties for oilfield-related crime and expands federal resources to support local law enforcement and the FBI’s Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force.”
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – (MONAHANS, TEXAS) Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) held a roundtable with law enforcement from the West Texas region and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on oilfield theft within the Permian Basin.
Congressman Gonzales has reintroduced the Protect the Permian Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation, first introduced in September of last year, 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 Permian Basin is a global powerhouse for energy production. Yet, across West Texas and the Permian Basin, oil producers continue to face widespread oilfield theft, which undermines their operations, output, and overall safety. My bill, the Protect the Permian Act, increases criminal penalties for oilfield-related crime and expands federal resources to support local law enforcement and the FBI’s Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales. “Texas enacted similar legislation at the state level, and it’s time for Congress to do the same at the federal level. I look forward to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and the Trump administration to get the Protect the Permian Act across the finish line so we can truly unleash American energy."
Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed S.B. 494 into law, led by Texas State Legislature members Senator Kevin Sparks (R-SD-31) and Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-HD-81), which would establish a state-led oil theft task force.
“Oilfield theft endangers the lives of Oil & Gas Workers and threatens America’s energy independence. We appreciate Congressman Tony Gonzales reintroducing the Protect the Permian Act to fully fund the FBI Oil Theft Task Force and secure America’s critical energy infrastructure. We urge Congress to pass Rep. Gonzales’s bill and give FBI Director Kash Patel and his team the resources they need to combat these threats to our national security,” said Matt Coday, President & Founder, Oil & Gas Workers Association.
"The theft of crude oil, equipment and materials has increased exponentially in recent years. This criminal activity is being conducted in a well-coordinated, and sophisticated manner, often in rural areas of the state, making it difficult to identify, respond to and prosecute these crimes, especially given limited resources for law enforcement. This issue is not only a threat from a financial and national security perspective, but also a significant safety concern to workers and communities. On behalf of our members, TIPRO has engaged with stakeholders to identify solutions to eradicate this growing criminal enterprise. We applaud Congressman Gonzales for his consistent leadership on this critical issue and for taking decisive action to provide additional resources, a higher degree of coordination with law enforcement and steeper penalties to deter and prosecute this illicit activity. The Protect the Permian Act will have a meaningful and lasting impact, and we encourage the full Texas Congressional delegation to prioritize this important policy,” said Ed Longanecker, President, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
“Members of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association greatly appreciate the work and leadership of Congressman Tony Gonzales in spearheading federal efforts to combat oilfield theft in the Permian. With passage of this effort as well as other efforts occurring at the local and state level, organized crime is being met by an organized Permian Basin community fighting back against this growing threat to public health and safety. Expanded federal resources will help protect our nation’s most important natural resource and our national security. Further, enhancing the penalties for these criminal activities is vital to re-establishing law and order. The Protect the Permian Act sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate this activity and our nation will do what it takes to combat oilfield crime. PBPA members thank Rep. Gonzales and his staff for their steadfast commitment. We look forward to seeing the Protect the Permian Act become federal law and putting the people that threaten the employees, the communities, and the Permian Basin oiland gas industry, behind bars,” said Ben Shepperd, President, Permian Basin Petroleum Association.
“Oilfield theft is a rapidly growing problem for oil and gas producers, especially in Texas with our proximity to the southern border, and the crimes are increasing quickly in terms of their number and sophistication. We have begun to address oilfield theft at the state level, but these issues are crying out for a federal solution, especially given the potential criminal connection to border elements and cartels. The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers applauds Congressman Gonzales, always a strong supporter of oil and gas in Texas and the Permian Basin, for stepping up with a bold federal solution in the form of this legislation,” Karr Ingham, President, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.
"The theft of crude oil, equipment and materials has increased exponentially in recent years. This criminal activity is being conducted in a well-coordinated, and sophisticated manner, often in rural areas of the state, making it difficult to identify, respond to and prosecute these crimes, especially given limited resources for law enforcement. This issue is not only a threat from a financial and national security perspective, but also a significant safety concern to workers and communities. On behalf of our members, TIPRO has engaged with stakeholders to identify solutions to eradicate this growing criminal enterprise. We applaud Congressman Gonzales for his consistent leadership on this critical issue and for taking decisive action to provide additional resources, a higher degree of coordination with law enforcement and steeper penalties to deter and prosecute this illicit activity. The Protect the Permian Act will have a meaningful and lasting impact, and we encourage the full Texas Congressional delegation to prioritize this important policy,” said Ed Longanecker, President, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association.
“Members of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association greatly appreciate the work and leadership of Congressman Tony Gonzales in spearheading federal efforts to combat oilfield theft in the Permian. With passage of this effort as well as other efforts occurring at the local and state level, organized crime is being met by an organized Permian Basin community fighting back against this growing threat to public health and safety. Expanded federal resources will help protect our nation’s most important natural resource and our national security. Further, enhancing the penalties for these criminal activities is vital to re-establishing law and order. The Protect the Permian Act sends a clear message that the United States will not tolerate this activity and our nation will do what it takes to combat oilfield crime. PBPA members thank Rep. Gonzales and his staff for their steadfast commitment. We look forward to seeing the Protect the Permian Act become federal law and putting the people that threaten the employees, the communities, and the Permian Basin oiland gas industry, behind bars,” said Ben Shepperd, President, Permian Basin Petroleum Association.
“Oilfield theft is a rapidly growing problem for oil and gas producers, especially in Texas with our proximity to the southern border, and the crimes are increasing quickly in terms of their number and sophistication. We have begun to address oilfield theft at the state level, but these issues are crying out for a federal solution, especially given the potential criminal connection to border elements and cartels. The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers applauds Congressman Gonzales, always a strong supporter of oil and gas in Texas and the Permian Basin, for stepping up with a bold federal solution in the form of this legislation,” Karr Ingham, President, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.
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.
For bill text, click here.
