Central U.S. Energy Resources: Texas Leads, Neighbors Follow

The Central U.S. (broadly: Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri) is an energy powerhouse. Here's where the resources concentrate:

1. Texas: The Giant

• Oil & Gas: #1 US producer. Permian Basin (West TX/SE NM) = world's most prolific oil play. Eagle Ford (South TX), Haynesville (East TX, gas), Barnett (Fort Worth, gas).
• Wind: #1 US wind capacity (35 GW+), West TX/Panhandle.
• Solar: Rapid growth (West TX, ERCOT grid).
• Refining: Gulf Coast (Port Arthur, Beaumont, Houston) = largest US refining cluster.

2. Oklahoma: The Mid-Continent Hub

• Anadarko Basin (west) – deep gas, liquids-rich.
• SCOOP/STACK plays (central) – oil + gas.
• Woodford Shale – gas/condensate.
• Cushing – "Pipeline Crossroads of the World," WTI pricing hub.
• Wind: #2-3 US, excellent resources.

3. Kansas: Hugoton & Wind

• Hugoton Field – giant gas field (extends OK/TX), helium byproduct.
• Oil: Central KS (Arbuckle, Lansing-KC).
• Wind: #4-5 US, flat, windy, transmission-building.

4. Louisiana: Gulf Coast Energy

• Offshore (GOM): Federal waters—major oil/gas (deepwater).
• Onshore: Haynesville Shale (NW LA, gas), Tuscaloosa Marine Shale.
• Refining/Petchem: Mississippi River corridor (Baton Rouge to New Orleans) – huge complex.
• LNG Export: Sabine Pass, Cameron, Calcasieu Pass – top US LNG exit points.

5. Other States

• Arkansas: Arkoma Basin (gas), Fayetteville Shale (mature).
• Missouri: No oil/gas. Wind (NW), solar emerging. Lead/zinc mining (Viburnum Trend).

Transition

The region is diversifying: CCUS (carbon capture), hydrogen hubs (Gulf Coast), battery storage, critical minerals. But hydrocarbons remain the economic bedrock—for now.