Permian basin gas transmission infrastructure map

Price expectations, shifting sentiment, and emerging natural gas opportunities are reshaping the long-term outlook for the Permian basin.

These were a few takeaways from the Oil & Gas Journal Breakfast Series event Nov. 19. The discussion was centered around Permian basin trends and opportunities.

Despite softer oil-price forecasts and a pullback in drilling activity, oil and gas operators have kept production steady by adopting disciplined, efficiency-driven development strategies. Longer laterals (3-4 miles in length now account for about 25% of wells in the basin), more selective drilling, and a focus on cash flow over sheer growth have become defining features of the operating environment.

At the same time, deeper gas-rich zones—particularly in the Delaware portion of the basin—are gaining prominence. As new natural gas takeaway pipelines move through planning and construction, gas-rich intervals could become more attractive, even in moderate price scenarios.

Infrastructure expansion will be a key enabler of the basin’s next growth phase.