社评 0725 石油小鎭又翻身了

石油小鎭又翻身了

德州西部盛產石油之小镇米兰市今天又再度出现了荣景，这是有史以来因石油价格上下起伏，而使这个石油小镇歷经无数次之经济循环， 当石油价格上涨到每桶一百二十美元时，这个小镇又开始忙碌起来。

根据最新之地理探测，在週边之帕明盆地至少藏有四百六十亿桶的地下石油，而且新的开採页岩油技术从技术到成本都进步了许多，开採成本从八十元降至每桶四十美金。

米兰市的政商人士正在讨论如何加强公共设施，包括兴建更多之学校来吸引更多石油工人参加开採工作 ，来迎接新的石油开採繁荣景气。

德州本来就是石油能源大州， 近年来由于页岩油之开採，把美国从一个石油输入国而成為输出国， 已经不必為石油再担心。

就在拜登总统上任之后， 因為对环保考虑， 立即更改政府政策， 关闭输油管及限制石油天然气之大量开採， 真是把德州佬搞得咬牙切齿。

天算不如人算， 如今石油缺货及价格上涨， 拜登总统到中东求援， 已经一蹶不振的能源小镇如今又要翻身了。

Oil Town Is Coming Back

Because of the big demand for oil in the heart of the country’s most productive oil basin, oil is being produced again.

In Midland, Texas, when the inevitable bust slashed oil prices, many companies closed their doors and laid off many workers who took their families away and moved out. But with the current boom, they are coming back to the city.

The Permian Basin is set for boosting the daily oil output this year by 1 million barrels to an average of 5.6 million barrels making this the third largest oil producing area in the world.

According to geological survey estimates, at least 46 billion barrels of oil are under the Permian underground.

When fracking first became feasible, drillers could break even with oil at about $80 dollars per barrel. But today, the cost has gone down to $40 dollars per barrel. This is very good news for the Texas economy, but some locals are still urging the oil and gas companies to invest in education and healthcare so more workers will move in with their whole families.

Today America can produce more oil than ever before. Why do we still need to ask other countries to help?

We really urge President Biden to change the country’s oil policy and let Texas oil make up for any and all shortages in the best interests of the country.

With rising inflation, the Ukraine war and many social problems, we really need to stabilize our economy as soon as possible.