Mapping the History of Extractive Oil and Gas Industries in Lea County in Light of the Transition to Unconventional Methods

Introduction Motivation Methods Results Conclusions Future Work

The Oil and Gas Industry in the Permian Basin certainly is robust, and has been there for a long, long time. There is a decent amount of data that is easily available to the public with which to analyze and draw conclusions from. It is readily apparent that well activity picked up substantially since unconventional oil and gas drilling practices have taken hold in the area. Nonetheless, there is still a need for much more data analysis. In some ways, the data is as hectic and unorganized as aerial imagery makes the landscape seem. Cross-referencing Landsat and aerial images with historical data about well locations that have been retired and plugged can be monitored to track the progress of rewilding.