In a recent episode of the Future of Texas series, Tracee Bentley, CEO of the Permian Strategic Partnership, and Jordan Wat of Texas 2036 highlighted the Permian Basin’s role as a primary stabilizer for both the domestic and global energy markets. According to Bentley, if the 22-county region in West Texas were its own country, it would rank as the fourth-largest energy producer in the world, trailing only Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
The Big Picture
The Permian Basin serves as the financial backbone for the state’s most critical public institutions, providing billions in funding for K-12 and higher education, says Wat. However, the duo argue that local infrastructure—ranging from agricultural-era roads to specialty healthcare access—has not kept pace with the region’s rapid industrial expansion. As demand for energy grows alongside the surge in AI and data centers, they are focusing on public-private partnerships to ensure the region remains a competitive “safe and secure energy basin”.
What Newsmakers Are Saying
- Tracee Bentley (CEO, Permian Strategic Partnership) described the region as a “stabilizer” for the U.S. in times of international volatility. She identified a significant infrastructure gap, noting that local roadways were largely built for an “agricultural-based economy” and cannot handle current industrial volumes.
- Jordan Wat (Director of Government Affairs, Texas 2036) emphasized that Texas’s status as the world’s eighth-largest economy is directly fueled by Permian resources, which she stated helped insulate the state from recent global recessions and the pandemic.
- On Education Funding: Wat noted that the oil and gas industry provides $3.1 billion to the Permanent University Fund, supporting university systems across the state.
- On Technological Innovation: Bentley said that the industry now utilizes advanced AI and drone technology to manage “bowl of spaghetti” lateral drilling patterns and monitor for low emissions.
By The Numbers
- 50%: The amount of U.S. energy produced in the Permian Basin alone.
- 900,000: The number of positions currently supported by the energy sector in the region.
- 176,000: The number of additional workers the region will need by 2040 to meet growth expectations.
- 31: The average age of a Midland resident, which Bentley noted is significantly younger than the state average.
- $2.5 Billion: The amount of capital catalyzed by the Permian Strategic Partnership through public-private investments in community infrastructure.
The Dispatch Note (The Kicker)
When the 90th Texas Legislature convenes in January 2027, lawmakers will face continued pressure to address the “bottleneck” in energy transmission and water. Jordan Wat noted that as electricity demand grows by over 11% year over year, the ability to move Permian natural gas and recycled “produced water” to market will be a decisive factor in maintaining low utility rates for all Texans.
Listen to the full episode here: Future of Texas: Powering the Permian