Kansas Oil Boom Coming

Oxymoronically, Kansas is becoming known as the "best-kept oil secret."



Kansas Oil and Gas Deposits
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Although Kansas currently ranks among the top ten states in crude oil production, its best is yet to come. With gradually depleting reserves in Texas and advancements in drilling technologies, nearby Kansas is sure to attract a lot of interest of oil firms. Existing players are starting to realize current production is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg and thus, are busy buying land in the state.

According to Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, vast amounts of oil and natural gas are under the ground in rock formations known as Mississippi Lime.

If the formation gushes as much oil and gas as hoped, Brownback said, it will help move the U.S. toward energy independence and boost the Kansas economy with billions in investment and income and thousands of good-paying jobs.

“This is a great day,” Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George told the conference, organized to talk about how small businesses could prosper from the possible boom.

Mark Richardson, a retired Kansas farmer at the conference, said “there are very few people I know who would be reluctant to have an oil well on their property. It’s a definite yes about the optimism.”

On the other hand, given its general negative attitude towards fossil fuels, the Obama administration might opt to put up a few impediments to the development of oil and gas in Kansas. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Endangered Species List, and other feds are quite adept at handcuffing American businessmen.