Texas Is Sitting on 1.6 Billion Barrels of Oil — And We’re Just Now Finding Out

TEXAS (TXAN 24) — A new assessment by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has identified an estimated 1.6 billion barrels of undiscovered, technically recoverable oil beneath parts of Texas, reinforcing the state’s role as a cornerstone of America’s energy production.

According to the USGS, the oil is located primarily within the Woodford and Barnett shale formations in the Permian Basin, a region already known as one of the most productive oil fields in the world. Along with oil, the assessment also estimates roughly 28 trillion cubic feet of undiscovered natural gas in the same formations.

USGS officials emphasize that “technically recoverable” does not guarantee immediate drilling or production. Instead, it means the resources could be extracted using existing technology if economic conditions and market demand support development.

To put the scale into perspective, 1.6 billion barrels of oil would account for about 10 weeks of total U.S. oil consumption at current usage levels. The natural gas estimate could supply the nation for nearly 10 months.

Energy analysts say the findings highlight how advances in drilling and shale extraction continue to unlock resources once considered unreachable. For Texas, the discovery could influence long-term energy planning, investment strategies, and economic development discussions—especially as debates continue around domestic energy independence and environmental policy.

The Permian Basin remains a focal point for future energy exploration, and this latest assessment signals that Texas’ underground potential is far from exhausted.