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## Tour
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tour.name = Permian Basin Petroleum Museum
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HTMLText_1830E20E_17B1_6AC3_419B_A422A7600CB2.html = About Us:
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About Us:
At Atalanta, our vision is to be a part of every food experience. For over 75 years, we've been a leading food importer, specializing in cheese, meats, seafood, fruits and vegetables from around the world. Our vast portfolio features over 6,000 different food items sourced from more than 60 countries. We pride ourselves on building relationships with our customers and suppliers to create long-lasting partnerships through consistent service, complimentary marketing resources and field support. As part of the broader Gellert Global Group, comprised of eight individual companies, Atalanta exhibits strength in sourcing, insurance, finance, logistics, food safety and information technology. With the GGG network of distribution centers, our team can quickly service the needs of our retailers, distributors, foodservice chains, hotels, cruise lines, airlines and food manufacturers.
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LOREM IPSUM
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The Permian Basin
This amazing diorama shows what you might have seen if you’d been standing here around 265 Million years ago. The Permian Basin had already been covered with a warm shallow sea for 200 million years. There were two basins, the Midland and the Delaware, with the raised Central Basin Platform providing a perfect site for reef building. Thanks to the sensitivity of living organisms to their environment, experts can use the fossil record to track how the area changed over time. Huge layers of organisms formed on the sea bed and were covered with sediments, forming limestone beds. Over vast spans of geological time, the sea disappeared and heat and pressure converted the carbon-rich organisms into petroleum and natural gas.
panorama_FB340EB7_F5B6_C4FB_41E1_5222BDBF80CC.subtitle = Midland Comes of Age
Born from a railroad community, Midland’s destiny arrived on May 28th 1923 when the Santa Rita No. 1 well blew in. This signaled the discovery of the Reagan County Big Lake Oil Field, one of the largest in the world. \
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Within a year, seventeen producing wells had been drilled. Later discoveries of the Hobbs, Yates and Hendrick fields confirmed the presence of vast oil reserves in the Permian Basin.
panorama_FB3411AA_F5B6_7C95_41E3_4F6000D92A78.subtitle = A Midland Story
Throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s and 1980s, Jim Hall and his team at Chaparral Cars designed, built and raced legendary race cars that thrilled fans, amazed the competition, and were considered the most innovative cars of their time. Working quietly from their Midland, Texas shop, the Chaparral team took race car engineering to new levels of performance. Most important among its many innovations, Chaparral used aerodynamics to apply a downward force on its race cars, which pinned the cars to the track for greater traction and increased cornering speeds. The cars you see are the only remaining examples of Chaparral’s innovative and forward-thinking design, with each and every part tied to the overall success that Chaparrals enjoyed at racetracks around the world. Although on display, these fully functional race cars are kept in running condition. In addition to cleaning, polishing, and complete mechanical maintenance, the Chaparrals are driven regularly to ensure they are always race ready!
panorama_FB341372_F5B6_7C75_41E9_085A952F0BDF.subtitle = By 1960, several countries were producing oil on a large scale. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was formed, “... to co-ordinate and unify petroleum policies among Member Countries.” \
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That simple phrase would ultimately change the world economy, alter global politics and directly affect everyone in the Permian Basin.
panorama_FB341F95_F5B6_44BF_41E0_C7B0761777D0.subtitle = Tom Lovell was selected in 1969 by the Abell-Hanger Foundation of Midland, Texas, to paint 14 historical scenes depicting Permian Basin history. During the four years Tom Lovell spent painting the Permian Basin scenes, he created many sketches which helped him pinpoint precise musculature and facial expressions. His numerous awards include the National Academy of Western Art’s Prix de West Gold Medal in 1974 and 1986. In 1992 Lovell received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Robert Lougheed Memorial Award for Traditional Painter of Western History.
panorama_FB3427A2_F5B6_4495_41EC_715B76D91B36.subtitle = Midland Comes of Age
Born from a railroad community, Midland’s destiny arrived on May 28th 1923 when the Santa Rita No. 1 well blew in. This signaled the discovery of the Reagan County Big Lake Oil Field, one of the largest in the world. \
\
Within a year, seventeen producing wells had been drilled. Later discoveries of the Hobbs, Yates and Hendrick fields confirmed the presence of vast oil reserves in the Permian Basin.
panorama_FB3427E5_F5B7_C49F_41D1_617D0CBD1874.subtitle = Geology Rocks!
Geologists map geologic structures and combine data collected from many sources to create an accurate picture of the world beneath our feet. This allows them to zero in on areas most likely to contain oil and natural gas reserves. Geophysics is the science of mapping geological structures using magnetic, gravity and seismic surveys to locate the best places to drill. The petroleum industry often refers to finding and developing new reserves in a geographic area or geologic sequence as a ‘play’.
panorama_FB34C6A9_F5B6_4497_41E4_F0E1A31176DA.subtitle = Tom Lovell was selected in 1969 by the Abell-Hanger Foundation of Midland, Texas, to paint 14 historical scenes depicting Permian Basin history. During the four years Tom Lovell spent painting the Permian Basin scenes, he created many sketches which helped him pinpoint precise musculature and facial expressions. His numerous awards include the National Academy of Western Art’s Prix de West Gold Medal in 1974 and 1986. In 1992 Lovell received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Robert Lougheed Memorial Award for Traditional Painter of Western History.
panorama_FB34D890_F5B6_4CB5_41ED_4059BB1C4DCC.subtitle = A Midland Story
Throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s and 1980s, Jim Hall and his team at Chaparral Cars designed, built and raced legendary race cars that thrilled fans, amazed the competition, and were considered the most innovative cars of their time. Working quietly from their Midland, Texas shop, the Chaparral team took race car engineering to new levels of performance. Most important among its many innovations, Chaparral used aerodynamics to apply a downward force on its race cars, which pinned the cars to the track for greater traction and increased cornering speeds. The cars you see are the only remaining examples of Chaparral’s innovative and forward-thinking design, with each and every part tied to the overall success that Chaparrals enjoyed at racetracks around the world. Although on display, these fully functional race cars are kept in running condition. In addition to cleaning, polishing, and complete mechanical maintenance, the Chaparrals are driven regularly to ensure they are always race ready!
panorama_FB34F3FB_F5B6_5C6B_41E8_662C0BE62D17.subtitle = Welcome to the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. Founded in 1975 by over 500 community leaders under the leadership of George T. Abell, the Museum tells the story of petroleum and the rugged lives of men and women who sought a better life. \
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What started as a community dream has, over time, become the nation’s largest museum dedicated to the petroleum industry and its pioneers. The Petroleum Museum has welcomed over one million visitors worldwide. It shares the petroleum and energy story and its impact on our daily lives through educational programs, interactive exhibits, an archives center, and its Petroleum Hall of Fame. A visit to the Petroleum Museum is an amazing journey through over 230 million years of history. Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, the Petroleum Museum offers over 40,000 square feet of interactive education and entertainment for adventurers of all ages. The mission of the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum is to share the petroleum and energy story and its impact on our lives.
panorama_FB35DC1B_F5B6_4BAB_41DF_D96A99C5D678.subtitle = From the early years of exploration, people have been predicting that oil will run out. While each prediction may sound rational at the time, they can only be based on a current understanding of reserves, technology, demand, and social, political and economic factors. Often predictions are overtaken by events and the situation changes all over again. The discovery of the East Texas oil field in the 1930s changed America’s ability to produce the oil it needed. Oil production in the Middle East changed the global oil market and economics and had a major impact on the industry in the Permian Basin. Recent advances in technologies such as horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing have changed how reserves of oil and gas can be reached and exploited. Whatever you hear and whatever you read about the future of oil, it’s important to check the facts and learn what’s been said on the same subject before.
### Title
panorama_FA7C6A6B_F5B6_CC6B_41ED_5579655F8F00.label = The Permian Sea
panorama_FB340CBF_F5B7_C4EB_41EC_106073D68F93.label = Supplemental Energy
panorama_FB340EB7_F5B6_C4FB_41E1_5222BDBF80CC.label = Birth of an Industry
panorama_FB3410A0_F5B6_5C95_41D4_FB2E2E97CACA.label = Growth of an Industry
panorama_FB3411AA_F5B6_7C95_41E3_4F6000D92A78.label = Chaparral Gallery
panorama_FB341372_F5B6_7C75_41E9_085A952F0BDF.label = Biggest in The World
panorama_FB341F95_F5B6_44BF_41E0_C7B0761777D0.label = Abell Family Gallery A
panorama_FB342178_F5B7_DC75_41ED_84DADDCA11E9.label = Drilling and Seismic
panorama_FB3427A2_F5B6_4495_41EC_715B76D91B36.label = Birth of an Industry 2
panorama_FB3427E5_F5B7_C49F_41D1_617D0CBD1874.label = Geology 2
panorama_FB343AB5_F5B7_CCFF_41E1_2B25FB379901.label = Drilling
panorama_FB346554_F5B7_C5BD_41DB_31FC106F1951.label = Mineral Gallery
panorama_FB346DEE_F5B7_C46D_41E6_AC0ACE269855.label = Mineral Gallery B
panorama_FB3473A3_F5B7_FC9B_41E0_1F5232B9C595.label = What's in a Barrel
panorama_FB34C6A9_F5B6_4497_41E4_F0E1A31176DA.label = Abell Family Gallery B
panorama_FB34D890_F5B6_4CB5_41ED_4059BB1C4DCC.label = Chaparral Gallery Entry
panorama_FB34EAEB_F5B6_4C6B_41C5_679F99329199.label = Lobby
panorama_FB34F3FB_F5B6_5C6B_41E8_662C0BE62D17.label = Welcome
panorama_FB35CA53_F5B6_4FBB_41E7_FF9EA175DDD0.label = Growth of an Industry 2
panorama_FB35DC1B_F5B6_4BAB_41DF_D96A99C5D678.label = Peaks & Prophecies
panorama_FB35DEFA_F5B6_4475_41E4_629F4E352AA0.label = PetroTrekker
panorama_FB35E587_F5B6_449B_41D2_23AB624D08F4.label = Tipping Point
panorama_FB363538_F5B6_C5F5_41E7_D2B9F0EA7506.label = Geology
photo_28953F24_3FF8_C449_41C1_140F579B55AA.label = Comanche Moon
photo_289AC6C0_3F99_C5C9_41C1_4636EFB01A2E.label = Trade at Midnight
photo_297D0D50_3F97_44C9_41C1_598917BB6A47.label = Captain Pope Well
photo_2987A7BF_3F9B_43B7_41BF_4409996E8CF1.label = Cabeza de Vaca
photo_64F647FC_7CBC_69B1_417B_9DE22B8AC4BB.label = O.C. Harper Redbeds map
## Popup
### Body
htmlText_200127E8_0DF6_C495_4175_CDF988B19DF3.html = Permian Basin Cross-Section Map
This cross-section of the Permian Basin, reveals oil and gas bearing formations. It also indicates key geological structures of the Basin, from the Central Basin Platform high in the middle, to the deep Delaware Basin on the left and the shallower Midland Basin on the right.
Acidizing Truck
This is a 1932 Model A4 International truck, one of the first acidizing trucks used by Dowell. The original wooden tank has been replaced with a metal one. In early days, wooden tanks were needed as the acid would have eaten through metal tanks. The wooden tank carried two gallons of arsenic acid mixed with water and hydrochloric acid. The mixture was delivered downhole with a rubber hose. Stimulating a well by acidizing could increase production as much a ten-fold.
Donated in 1985 by Dowell-Schlumberger
The Red Bed Map by O.C. Harper
This map, drawn by geologist O.C. Harper in 1924, is one of the most significant pieces of geological evaluation ever done in the United States.
With sketchy subsurface information from a few scattered wells drilled before 1924, Harper pieced together evidence indicating that a vast area of West Texas contained a geological feature likely to produce oil. His findings were shown on this map, the first to show the Central Basin Platform. Most of the development of the Permian Basin can be attributed to this map as the Central Basin Platform has produced many major oil fields with total yields in the hundreds of millions of barrels.
Most of the development of the Permian Basin can be attributed to this map as the Central Basin Platform has produced many major oil fields with total yields in the hundreds of millions of barrels.
Supplies for a Booming Town
A boomtown store supplied the needs of all customers. The town swarmed with drillers and geologists, company men, roustabouts and tool pushers, rig builders and their hard working families. Ranchers and townsfolk also needed goods. Here you can see some of the tools of the trade for sale, from hand tools, to surveying equipment. Coffee grinders, flat irons, cheese cutters, and tinned goods were supplies for field workers and their families. The luxuries of radio, sewing machines, clocks, and candy were for those with money to spare.
Chaparral 2K
• Engine: Cosworth DFX 2.65 liter turbocharged
• Horsepower: 780 @ 10,400 RPM, 70 inches of boost
• Fuel Injection: Hillborn
• Transmission: 4 speed Weisman
• Bodywork: 5 piece fiberglass, including nose, cockpit sidepod cover, engine cover and two side pods
• Cooling: 2 Sidepod mounted water radiators, 2 water/oil heat exchangers
• Aerodynamics: Underbody venturis, nose mounted front wings, chassis mounted rear wing
• Chassis: Aluminum monocoque, bonded and riveted
• Wheels: 15” diameter 3 spoke cast magnesium
• Tires: Goodyear Speedway SPecial Front-25 x 9.5-15, Rear 27 x 15.5-15
• Brakes: AP 4 piston calipers, 11.75” vented discs
• Suspension: Front-Top rocker activated, inboard mounted coil over shocks, lower wishbone. Rear-Double wishbone, coil over shocks. Driver adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars.
• Dimensions: 106-inch wheelbase, 67-inch front track, 63-inch rear track, 180-inch 0.A. length, 80-inch 0.A. width, 38-inch 0.A. height, 2-inch ride height
• Average weight: "1,550 pounds"
• Fuel: Methanol
• Fuel Capacity: 40 gallons
GS IIB Experimental Corvette
• Type: Concept/Prototype
• Engine: Chevrolet Aluminum Small Block 327 cube
• Carburation: 4x Twin-Throat Weber
• Bore/Stroke: 4 inch/3.25 inch
• Body/Frame: Thin Fiberglass over Aluminum Tub
• Driven Wheels: RWD
• Wheel Type: Multi-Piece
• Curb Weight: 1,450 pounds
• Transmission: One-Speed Automatic
The Dawn of Success: The Chaparral 2J
• Engine: Chevrolet aluminum big-block 465-cubic-inch V-8
• Horsepower: 680 at 7,200 rpm
• Carburetion: Chaparral crossover manifold with Lucas fuel injection
• Transmission: 3-speed Chaparral “automatic”
• Bodywork: Fiberglass front bodywork; aluminum and fiberglass composite rear bodywork
• Cooling: Front-mounted radiator; oil cooler mounted behind radiator
• Aerodynamics: Rockwell two-stroke two-cylinder 55 bhp engine driving two 17-inch axial-flow fans; articulated skirts made of .09 inch polycarbonate sheets to seal undercar pressure area; radiator tunnel at front and adjustable rear flap to help balance downforce on body
• Chassis: Aluminum semi-monocoque with engine cantilevered from rear bulkhead
• Wheels: Chaparral spoked single-piece cast magnesium; 15-inch diameter with six-bolt mounting
• Tires: Front 13.9 x 15, rear 17.0 x 15; Firestone
• Brakes: 12 inch ventilated discs, Airheart calipers
• Suspension: Front: tubular double wishbones with coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar; Rear: anti-squat with twin trailing arms, reverse lower A-arms, single top links, coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar
• Dimensions: 95-inch wheelbase, 145-inch length, 78-inch width, 60-inch front track, 55-inch rear track, 41-inch height,4-inch static ground clearance
• Average weight: 2,030 pounds dry
Birth of the High Wing: The Chaparral 2E
• Engine: Chevrolet aluminum small-block 327-cubic-inch V-8
• Horsepower: 450-475 at 6,800 rpm
• Carburetion: 4x twin-throat Weber
• Transmission: 3-speed Chaparral “automatic”
• Bodywork: Fiberglass one-piece front; three-piece fiberglass rear with separate radiator moldings
• Cooling: Mid-mounted radiators and oil coolers with air exiting upward over rear wheel arches
• Aerodynamics: Two-position hydraulically-operated wing acting on rear wheel hub; tunnel with driver-operated valve in front to balance downforce on body; front wheelwell pressure outlets
• Chassis: Aluminum semi-monocoque
• Wheels: Chaparral spoked single-piece cast magnesium; 16-inch diameter with six bolt mounting
• Tires: Front 10.10 x 16, rear 12. 10 x 16; Firestone
• Brakes: Solid discs, front 12 inch, rear 11.9 inch; Girling calipers
• Suspension: Front: double wishbone with coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, incorporating anti-dive; Rear: twin trailing arms, reverse lower A-arms, single top links, coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar, incorporating anti-lift/anti-squat; wing struts mounted to rear wheel hub.
• Dimensions: 90-inch wheelbase, 158-inch length, 64-inch width, 53.5-inch front track, 52-inch rear track, 27-inch height, 3.25-inch ground clearance
• Average weight: 1,560 pounds dry
A New Direction: The Chaparral 2H
• Engine: Chevrolet aluminum big-block 430-465-cubic-inch V-8
• Horsepower: 650-680 at 6,800 rpm
• Carburetion: Chaparral crossover manifold with Lucas Fuel injection
• Transmission: 3-speed Chaparral “automatic”
• Bodywork: Semi-monocoque fiberglass shell; front integral with fiberglass main body; two-part fiberglass rear-section
• Cooling: Front-mounted Corvette aluminum radiator; oil cooler with air intake in rear
• Aerodynamics: Daytona, 1966, Chaparral 2C-type two-position flap; Sebring 1966, fixed car spoiler and flush rear window; Nürburgring, “snorkel” intake and taller rear spoiler
• Chassis: Fiberglass semi-monocoque derived from Chaparral 2
• Wheels: Chaparral spoked two-piece cast magnesium; 15-inch diameter with six-bolt mounting, eight clamping bolts
• Tires: Front 9.20 x 15, rear 12.00 x 15; Firestone
• Brakes: Solid discs, Girling calipers
• Suspension: Front: double wishbone with coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar forged uprights; Rear: twin trailing arms, reverse lower A-arms, single top links, coil over shock absorbers, anti-rollbar, cast uprights.
• Dimensions: 91-inch wheelbase 158-inch length, 68-inch width, 56-inch front track, 53-inch rear track, 39.5-inch height, 3.5-inch ground clearance
• Average weight: 1,750 pounds dry
Taking on Europe: The Chaparral 2D
• Engine: Chevrolet aluminum small-block 327-cubic-inch V-8
• Horsepower: 420 at 6,500 rpm
• Carburetion: 4x twin-throat Weber
• Transmission: 2-speed Chaparral “automatic”
• Bodywork: Fiberglass one-piece front and rear; gull-wing doors; streamlined wheel fairings
• Cooling: Front-mounted Corvette aluminum radiator; oil cooler with air intake in rear
• Aerodynamics: Daytona, 1966, Chaparral 2C-type two-position flap; Sebring 1966, fixed car spoiler and flush rear window; Nürburgring, “snorkel” intake and taller rear spoiler
• Chassis: Fiberglass semi-monocoque derived from Chaparral 2
• Wheels: Chaparral spoked two-piece cast magnesium; 15-inch diameter with six-bolt mounting, eight clamping bolts
• Tires: Front 9.20 x 15, rear 12.00 x 15; Firestone
• Brakes: Solid discs, Girling calipers
• Suspension: Front: double wishbone with coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar forged uprights; Rear: twin trailing arms, reverse lower A-arms, single top links, coil over shock absorbers, aunty-rollbar, cast uprights.
• Dimensions: 91-inch wheelbase 158-inch length, 68-inch width, 56-inch front track, 53-inch rear track, 39.5-inch height, 3.5-inch ground clearance
• Average weight: 1,750 pounds dry
The Car That Started It All: The Chaparral 2
• Engine: Chevrolet aluminum small-block 318-327 -cubic-inch V-8
• Horsepower: 415-460 at 6,000-6,800 rpm
• Carburetion: 4x twin-throat Weber
• Transmission: Initially, Colotti Type 376 4-speed; from May 1964, Chaparral “automatic”
• Bodywork: Fiberglass front, doors and rear sections
• Cooling: Initially, dual-core radiator mounted vertically at front, and oil cooler with air intake in passenger door; later versions used a Corvette radiator at low angle, and oil cooler with air intake in rear body section.
• Aerodynamics: October 1963, snowplow front airdam; 1964, re-shaped nose and added rear spoiler; May1965, adjustable rear spoiler blade and mustache front spoilers; April 1965, louvered fenders; October 1965, rear flap
• Chassis: Fiberglass semi-monocoque; locally reinforced with honeycomb; steel mounting parts for suspension; steel bridge at rear
• Wheels: First appearance of Chaparral 2-piece bolted, adjustable width, spoked pattern, cast magnesium
• Tires: Front 5.50 x 15, rear 6.50 x 15 initially; progressively widened to 9.20 x 15 front and 12.00 x 15 rear; Firestone
• Brakes: Solid discs, Girling calipers
• Suspension: Front: double wishbone with coil-over shock absorbers, anti-roll bar forged uprights; Rear: twin trailing arms, reverse lower A-arms, single top links, coil over shock absorbers, anti-rollbar, cast uprights.
• Dimensions: 91-inch wheelbase 158-inch length, 68-inch width, 58-inch front track, 54-inch rear track, 33.75-inch height, 3.5-inch ground clearance
• Average weight: 1,510 pounds dry
Boom Town
In the mid to late 1920s numerous wildcat discoveries were made in remote parts of the Permian Basin. Small ‘towns’ quickly developed at the delivery point of equipment and supplies nearest these new oil fields.
This ‘Boom Town’ image is a composite of such a community and its exploration activities, circa 1926.
Hydropower
Hydropower is kinetic energy derived by directing, harnessing, or channeling moving water. As water always flows downhill, and the sea is in constant motion, this means a consistent supply of energy to harvest.
We do this with ‘wave farms’ at sea, tidal barrages or with large dams. The motion of the water, usually under pressure, is used to generate electricity.
Hydro is the most widely used renewable energy, and with water covering 70% of the planet, there’s plenty more to harvest. The U.S. is the 2nd largest producer of hydropower in the world.
1970-80
OPEC increases the price of oil 1,300%.
Solar
Solar power is energy from massive nuclear fusion reactions within the sun. These reactions reach earth from 93 million miles away. We can capture this energy passively, using the sun’s heat to warm water and buildings, or actively, with technologies that convert sunlight into electricity. Despite the immense power of the sun, our conversion techniques are not yet capable of efficiently capturing it. Photovoltaic cells are around 15% efficient. This combined with the cost of maintenance and difficulties of storing and transporting electricity, means solar is not a short-term solution. But as technology improves, the sun will be our greatest potential and actual source of energy.
Core Samples
Drilling Down
A core sample is taken out of the ground with a special drill with a hole in the middle that keeps the rock layers intact. Cores tell geologists the structure of the rock below, like taking an elevator down through the Earth’s crust! These core samples are taken from wells drilled in the Permian Basin. Some have been polished to bring out their beauty.
1971
The U.S. reaches what is thought to be peak oil production.
“A Trade at Midnight”
Oil on Canvas
35 ½” x 45 ½”
Tom Lovell
This painting depicts an actual event described to the artist by a local oil man. A discussion takes place between a desperate landman about to lose his financial backing and the even more desperate farmer about to lose his home and land. The lengthy lease negotiations draw to a close as the clock nears midnight. The landman, seeing that his chance of a signed contract may slip away, sweetens the deal by offering to pay the farmer’s taxes. The deal is sealed, and the story ends happily with a successful well, saving the fortunes of everyone.
Wind
Wind power is kinetic energy from moving wind. The stronger the wind, the more energy it has. Wind is created naturally every day, making it renewable and free! Wind power is extracted from air flow using wind turbines to produce electrical power. At the moment only a tiny fraction of the world’s energy comes from wind. Wind power is unlimited and non-polluting. But it’s use is limited to places where there is reliable wind to harvest. At the moment turbine equipment is expensive. Storing electricity is not yet efficient or economically viable, so it’s hard to get wind energy to where it’s needed. As these technical problems are solved, wind may take a more central role in world energy supply
Nuclear
Nuclear power is potential energy locked up in the nucleus of atoms like uranium and plutonium. These are split using high speed neutrons. This fission (splitting) causes a chain reaction that generates enormous heat that is used to create steam and drive turbines for electricity generation. Pound for pound, uranium can deliver up to three million times more energy than burning coal or oil. Despite being relatively clean and abundant, the risks from radioactive leaks and waste rule out nuclear power as an option for many people. The U.S. is the largest producer of nuclear power in the world, accounting for more than 30% of the electricity generated worldwide.
“Captain Pope’s Well”
Oil on Canvas
38 ½” x 65 ½”
Tom Lovell
Beginning in 1855, Captain John Pope made the first of several trips to the Permian Basin searching for artesian water for a proposed transcontinental railroad. Pope’s fourth and final unsuccessful attempt in the winter of 1857 - 58 is depicted here. He drilled to a depth of 1,053 feet before giving up due to poor drilling conditions. His experience aided those who would arrive in the 1920’s seeking oil rather than water.
“Comanche Moon”
Oil on Canvas
35 ½” x 63”
Tom Lovell
The Comanches, the most feared warriors in the Permian Basin, raided settlements along the Comanche War Trail every fall with such regularity that the settlers named the month of September “Comanche Moon”. A Comanche-Kiowa war party is shown returning triumphantly to their village, displaying, scalps and spoils captured in their raid. A blonde-headed Spanish woman and a young boy, destined for slavery among the Indians, ride behind the leader of the party.
Anatomy of a Drilling Rig
Crown Block
An assembly of pulleys, through which drill line is threaded, that is the part of the hoisting system used to change the direction of pull from the drawworks to the traveling block and is affixed to the top of the derrick or mast.
Derrick
Support structure for the hoisting system; tall enough to allow new sections of drill pipe to be added to the drill string as drilling progresses, and strong enough to support the full load carried by the hosting system.
Traveling Block
An assembly of pulleys, through which the drill line is threaded, that is the part of the hoisting system which freely moves opposite, and under, the crown block.
Hoisting System
Mechanical system comprised of a crown block and traveling block, (drill line), and (drawworks) used for lifting heavy loads (over a million pounds possible).
Swivel
A mechanical device that hangs directly under the traveling block and directly above the kelly drive, that allows the kelly pipe and drill string to rotate while the traveling block does not (yet allows all to move vertically up and down within the derrick) while simultaneously allowing the introduction of drilling fluid into the drill string.
Mud Pump & Rotary Hose
The mud pump transfers drilling fluid from the mud pits to the drill string. The rotary hose connects the mud pump to the drill string via the swivel.
Drawworks
Mechanical winch used in the hoisting system.
Rotary Table
Delivers rig power (from piston engines or electric motors) to the kelly drive in the form of rotary motion.
Blowout Preventer
One or more valves installed at the wellhead to prevent the escape of pressure either in the space between the casing and the drill pipe or in open hole (no drill pipe in hole) during drilling or completion operations.
Drill String
Consists of drill pipe, and drill collars (very thick-walled pipe situated just above the drill bit to place weight on the drill bit) connected in sections of about 30 feet through which drilling fluid is pumped.
Casing
Large diameter steel pipe that lines the drill hole, prevents the hole from collapsing and allows drilling mud to circulate back to the surface equipment without contaminating fresh water zones.
Kelly
An apparatus of two main components - the kelly bushing and kelly pipe (attached to the drill string) that transfer rotary motion from the rotary table to the drill string.
Rig Power
Major items of machinery are driven by electric motors or transmissions. Both are powered by on-site internal combustion engines, usually diesel.
Mud pit
Where drilling mud is mixed and recycled. It’s a mixture of water, clay, weighting material and chemicals used to lift rock cuttings out of the hole, cool the drill bit, seal off porous rock layers, and provide back pressure on the hole.
Drill Bit
End of the drill that actually cuts up the rock; comes in many shapes and materials; specialized for various drilling tasks.
Coal
Coal is a fossil fuel like oil and gas. In 2013, 93% of U.S. electricity needs were met from burning coal at power stations. There has always been one real problem with coal. It’s dirty, releasing carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphurs and other chemicals when burned. Modern carbon capture and environmental scrubbers can now remove these from the emissions smoke. The U.S. is the world’s largest producer of coal.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is energy from heat that is generated and stored in the Earth’s core. It sometimes appears on the surface in the form of hot springs, geysers, fumaroles (volcanic gas vents), and volcanoes. To use this ‘free’ power source, we have to dig deep wells and pump magma-heated underground water or steam to the surface. There it is used directly to heat buildings, or to create steam to turn electricity generator turbines.
Low production costs, very high energy conversion, unlimited renewability and consistency mean geothermal energy is very appealing. Geothermal energy’s best use is likely heating individual homes and businesses.
Emerging Energies
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device. It converts the chemical energy of a fuel, like hydrogen, and an oxidant, like oxygen, directly into electricity, with no waste product except water vapor and heat. Hydrogen fuel cells are being used in some cars.Biomass is the sun’s energy stored in oils created by plants. We can grow biomass and also recycle it to make biofuels. Though abundant, hydrogen is difficult to gather and separate. However, with the correct infrastructure it could become a viable alternative.
“Cabeza de Vaca”
Oil on Canvas
33” x 45”
Tom Lovell
In 1528 Cabeza De Vaca arrived in the New World to conquer the Indians and find gold. The painting records an occasion near the Pecos River (circa 1534) when Cabeza de Vaca’s “healing powers” were given the supreme test. In the shade of a large cottonwood tree, with the entire village as spectators, he performed a remarkable operation assisted by his companions and several brawny Indians. With surgical tools limited to a flint knife and a bone needle and without anesthetics, he removed a large spear point from the upper chest of an Indian who had been wounded sometime before.
“Peggy” flies again
The rise of cheap foreign oil in the early 1960s brought tougher times for the domestic industry. Midland suffered a population loss through most of the 1960s, as several major oil companies closed their doors and others cut staff. Many homes and offices stood vacant, and confidence was low.
In 1968, a wrecking ball destroyed the Mobil Oil Building. In this photograph, its iconic red pegasus “Peggy” trademark remains precariously atop the wreckage.
Nitro truck: A brave career
This truck was used by ‘shooters’, the men who exploded nitro-glycerin in wells. Hundreds of quarts of explosives would be taken to the site, lowered down the well and set off with a time-fuse. There are big risks driving a truck laden with high explosives! Shooters became experts at judging the engine, speed and road rhythm to cause the least vibration.
Nitro truck: A brave career
This truck was used by ‘shooters’, the men who exploded nitro-glycerin in wells. Hundreds of quarts of explosives would be taken to the site, lowered down the well and set off with a time-fuse. There are big risks driving a truck laden with high explosives! Shooters became experts at judging the engine, speed and road rhythm to cause the least vibration.
Hydraulic Fracturing
Today, most wells need to be fractured to get the oil and natural gas flowing. The rock is fractured by pumping fluid, either water-based or gel-like, down the wellbore at pressures averaging 7,000 psi at 3,500 gallons per minute. This causes tiny breaks in the rock. Proppants are then mixed with the fluid and pumped into the farthest recesses of the fractures. Proppants consist of either processed sand, coated sand or man-made ceramic particles. When the fluid is removed, the proppants will hold the fractures open to allow oil and natural gas to flow into the wellbore.
Fracturing technology has been around since the 1940s but new technology continues to improve the process.
1965
For the first time, the Middle East produces more oil than the U.S.
What makes a good reservoir rock?
Two rock characteristics control how effective rocks are as hydrocarbon reservoirs. Porosity measures how much of a rock is open space. The space can be between grains or within cracks or cavities of the rock. Permeability measures how easily fluid can move through a porous rock. It was first used to measure water aquifer flow. The porosity and permeability of rock determine both whether it can hold hydrocarbons and how easy it will be to get the oil and natural gas out.