Odessa in Ector County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Permian Basin
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015
1. The Permian Basin Marker
Inscription.
The Permian Basin. . One of the two richest oil fields in the world. Discovery began in 1920 at a Mitchell County Well. Next came the 1923 Big Lake Strike, then the wild 1925 boom in Upton County, followed by production in Andrews, Crane, Ector, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Ward, Winkler and 24 other counties. In some years new wells averaged 38 a week. Fortunes were made, lost, then regained--all within months. So great were yields that oil brought 50 cents a barrel, while drillers paid $5.00 a barrel for drinking water., Area is 88,610 square miles, with center here at Odessa. Extends across a deeply buried prehistoric sea that more than 250 million years ago contained much fish and reptile life, including dinosaurs. Shores and islands later grew giant vegetation, until earth changes buried animals and plants in pockets that turned hydrocarbons into petroleum., In 40 years from its discovery, the Permian Basin, was producing 53% of total oil in Texas and 20% of U.S. crude oil. It is one of the world's largest producers of channel carbon black. Other by-products are sulphur, asphalt, synthetic rubber ingredients and petrochemicals.
One of the two richest oil fields in the world. Discovery began in 1920 at a Mitchell County Well. Next came the 1923 Big Lake Strike, then the wild 1925 boom in Upton County, followed by production in Andrews, Crane, Ector, Martin, Midland, Pecos, Ward, Winkler and 24 other counties. In some years new wells averaged 38 a week. Fortunes were made, lost, then regained--all within months. So great were yields that oil brought 50 cents a barrel, while drillers paid $5.00 a barrel for drinking water.
Area is 88,610 square miles, with center here at Odessa. Extends across a deeply buried prehistoric sea that more than 250 million years ago contained much fish and reptile life, including dinosaurs. Shores and islands later grew giant vegetation, until earth changes buried animals and plants in pockets that turned hydrocarbons into petroleum.
In 40 years from its discovery, the Permian Basin, was producing 53% of total oil in Texas and 20% of U.S. crude oil. It is one of the world's largest producers of channel carbon black. Other by-products are sulphur, asphalt, synthetic rubber ingredients and petrochemicals.
Erected 1964 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 3988.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Resources. A significant historical year for this entry is 1920.
Location.
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31° 53.009′ N, 102° 23.256′ W. Marker is in Odessa, Texas, in Ector County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 385. Marker is just west of the south entrance to the Ector County Coliseum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4201 Andrews Highway, Odessa TX 79762, United States of America. Touch for directions.
The Permian Basin Marker is the third marker from the left.
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, July 11, 2015
3. The Permian Basin Marker
The Permian Basin Marker is the third marker from the left.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 372 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on July 27, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.