Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas’s 23rd District convened a roundtable discussion with West Texas law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to address the ongoing issue of oilfield theft in the Permian Basin. The meeting focused on strategies to counteract theft affecting oil producers in the region.
Gonzales has reintroduced the Protect the Permian Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill, first introduced in September of last year, seeks to increase criminal penalties for stealing, transporting, or selling stolen oil and related equipment. It also proposes formal support for an FBI-led task force dedicated to combating oilfield theft and aims to expand federal resources available to local law enforcement agencies working on these cases.
“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.”
Recently, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed S.B. 494 into law after it was advanced by Senator Kevin Sparks (R-SD-31) and Representative Brooks Landgraf (R-HD-81). This new state law establishes a task force specifically targeting oil theft.
“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 of 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 of Texas Independent Producers & 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 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 penalties for these criminal activities is vital to re-establishing law-and-order.The Protect The Permian Act sends a clear message that United States will not tolerate this activityand our nation will do what it takes combat oilfield crime.PBPA members thank Rep.Gonzalesand his stafffor their steadfast commitment.We look forwardto seeingtheProtectthePermianActbecomefederallawandputtingthepeoplethatthreatentheemployees,thecommunities,andthePermianBasinoilandgasindustrybehindbars,”saidBenShepperdPresidentPermianBasinPetroleumAssociation.
“Oilfield theft is a rapidly growing problem for oil & gas producers especially in Texas with our proximity tothe southern border,andthecrimesareincreasingquicklyintermsoftheirnumberandsophistication.Wehavebeguntoaddressoilfieldtheftatthestatelevel,buttheseissuesarecryingoutforafederalsolutionespeciallygiventhepotentialcriminalconnectiontoborderelementsandcartels.TheTexasAllianceofEnergyProducersapplaudsCongressmanGonzalesalwaysastrongsupporterofoil&gasinTexasandthePermianBasinforsteppingupwithaboldfederalsolutionintheformofthislegislation,”KarrInghamPresidentTexasAllianceofEnergyProducers.
The FBI has worked with local authorities since 2008 through its regional task force focused on investigating oilfield thefts in West Texas’s major production area.
Oil theft remains an economic challenge nationally as stolen product—both crude oil itself as well as field equipment—is frequently sold illegally within West Texas’s black market economy.
Tony Gonzales has maintained strong electoral support over recent cycles: In 2024 he won reelection against Santos Limon by securing 62% of votes; he previously defeated John Lira in 2022 with nearly 56%, following his initial victory over Gina Ortiz Jones by roughly four percentage points in 2020.
