We have a saying that goes "When you hire the Kemmy Law Firm, you don't just hire one lawyer, you hire a team of lawyers." Tom Kemmy is an award-winning and board certified personal injury lawyer who has been practicing injury law since 1986. His sons are experienced personal injury lawyers and former prosecutors that represented the State of Texas against murderers, thieves, drug traffickers, and violent criminals. We put our combined experience and knowledge in the pursuit of one goal, to win and obtain maximum justice for our client.
Permian Basin Background
What’s It Like in the Sub-Basin Oilfields?
The Permian Basin is a unique stretch of the American landscape with stunning views of the earth “touching” the sky in the distance. Its beauty aside, geologically, a “basin” is a depression in the earth’s surface—usually caused by erosion and long-ago earthquakes.
As one of the largest basins in North America, the Permian Basin is actually three smaller basins, covering most West Texas and southeastern New Mexico – about 86,000 miles in all.
Most notably, the region is one of the most productive oil and gas basins in the United States, accounting for almost half of U.S. Output from the Permian, which stretches across Texas and New Mexico, hit 5.14 million barrels a day in 2022, and is expected to reach 5.316 million. And while output fell due to COVID and current inflation worries may dampen refinement capacity, the pumpjacks and derricks at Delaware, Midland, and Central Basin Platforms are up and running.
In fact, by 2050, the region is expected to contribute up to $260 billion in gross product and more than 1,000,000 jobs to the U.S. economy, according to a new report. This boost in production fosters growth in the Midland-Odessa region, but there is a cost.
Delaware Basin
Stretching from Eddy and Lea County, NM to Pecos County, TX, Delaware is the deepest of the Permian sub-basins. Historically, oil production here focused on vertical drilling. Recent horizontal extraction and fracking technology have created new interest in older areas and identified new opportunities in places like Bone Springs.
Oilfield workers in the Delaware basin usually live a pretty nomadic rockhound existence since the area is so sparsely populated. But the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Carlsbad, NM, are among some points of interest.
Midland Basin
As the most populous of the Permian Basin region, the Midland Basin is home to approximately 340,000 people. The basin is much shallower compared to Delaware, allowing for more effective fracking and horizontal drilling.
Midland-Odessa sits just minutes down 1-20 and has long been the epicenter of the West Texas oil industry. The sudden rise in the cost of living has affected the housing market, created staffing shortages in virtually any industry outside the oilfields, and stretched local resources razor thin.
The discrepancies are visible everywhere, from schools to hospitals. But perhaps nowhere is the potential for harm more evident than on local two-lane highways, where commuters compete with massive tankers and equipment haulers on dusty roads where such volume becomes a liability.
Central Basin
As its name suggests, the Central Basin Platform rests in the middle of the Midland and Delaware basins. Famous for its low costs and consistent returns, the Central Basin has become the low-risk, high-reward place to drill. The Platform has yielded over 90% of the oil recovered from the Permian Basin to date.
With the area covering much of Andrews, Ector, Winkler, Ward, and Crane County, the Central Planform sees a lot of roughneck newcomers to work on rigs and build infrastructure. In cities like Kermit, companies have had to scramble to accommodate them. Referred to as “man camps,” hundreds of men bunk together, and almost every vacant lot has been turned into an RV encampment. While this labor infusion is good for some, it is a strain, and the local communities are slow to catch up.
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$20 MILLION Oil and gas case involving significant economic harm
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$13.5 MILLIONJury VerdictPatient paralyzed after nurses failed to tell a doctor about a change in condition
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$8 MILLION Young college student suffers brain injury from negligent conduct
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$7.5 MILLION West texas woman becomes brain injured when basic safety rules were not followed
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$6.2 MILLIONJury VerdictMarine veteran suffers catastrophic harm after a dangerous fall
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$6 MILLION Children who were abused by an employee of a company that was entrusted with the care of children
All of our clients have families of their own. They are decent, hardworking people, and come to uswith complex business issues or because their lives have been changed by a catastrophic injury.
Oilfield Accidents Happen Because
- Large oil companies fail to train their employees properly.
- Overworked & stressed employees cut corners and act recklessly.
- Companies & professionals ignore regulations in favor of profits.
- Our Advice: You’re doing important work. Make sure you have the gear and training you need to stay safe in the oilfields.
Our Roads Become More Dangerous Since
- Highways like US 285 were not meant for the volume necessary to extract oil.
- Large trucking and oil companies hire inexperienced drivers.
- Municipalities miss out on income tax infusions needed to fix roads.
- Our Advice: For many, the most dangerous part of their day is their commute. But try to practice safe driving and stay alert on the road.
Permian Basin Communities Suffer Because
- Law enforcement, school teachers, and other essential services are stretched to the limit.
- With the sky-rocketing housing market, the average rent in Odessa is $964.
- The high cost of living doesn’t stop there. Essential items like groceries and gas have risen too.
- Our Advice: Even if you’re working two on, two off, don’t sacrifice safety and sanitary conditions. Try speaking with some locals, who may offer better options than crowded “man camps.”
Things to Do in the Permian Basin
Here are a few things you may enjoy:
The Permian Basin region is a big place. Aside from work, it can be a lonely place with limited options.
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Places to Eat
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Sports
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Outdoor Activities
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Arts & Attractions
Stay Safe & Healthy in the Permian Basin
With offices in Odessa-Midland and San Antonio, Texas as well as Hobbs, New Mexico, our family of attorneys wants to be part of improving the lives of our Permian Basin Neighbors.
Contact us today or give us a call at (830) 264-6297
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"You could not hire a better attorneys than the Kemmy's."
My husband was involved in an industrial accident & we hired the Kemmy law firm to represent him with that case. You could not hire a better attorneys than the Kemmy's. They went above & beyond to help him get what he deserved. If you are searching for a lawyer in Texas you need to hire them!!!
- Colleen B. -
"Very easy to talk to, sincerely cared about my situation."
I was involved in an accident and was injurred. My co-worker recommended Seamus from Kemmy Law. I am so greatful that I followed through with the recommendation. He was very easy to talk to, sincerely cared about my situation, and kept me informed with the process, just all around amazing! Thank you Seamus!!!- Holly O. -
"They were so patient and explained everything in detail."
Everyone we worked with was amazing. They were so patient and explained everything in detail. They worked with my mom and then when she passed away the game plan changed and they made sure to explain everything. We were blessed to have them on our team. I would highly recommend them.
- Dora M. -
"Nick was very open and transparent."
Mr. Kemmy comes from good stock and was referred to us by one of the best. And if he's good enough for him to lay his reputation on the line, he's good enough for me. Nick was very open and transparent, and shared some of our frustrations. We were very please with him representing us. Thanks again Nick.
- Richard G. -
"Showed a deep understanding of my personal situation and demonstrated empathy."
Ben Kemmy and his awesome staff showed a deep understanding of my personal situation and demonstrated empathy throughout the legal process. This helped me a great deal to get through this difficult time. I recommend Kemmy Law Firm to all who need the services .
- Jim P. -
"Not only were they my lawyers they became like family."
I honestly got to say Tom and Danny got to be two of the best attorneys in the state of Texas I was injured in the oilfield accident about 3 years ago and they fought for me in my case like some sharks hands down best attorneys out there not only were they my lawyers they became like family thanks Kemmy law firm- Jeremiah L. -
"I wholeheartedly endorse Kemmy Law without reservation."
Working with Tom and Nick Kemmy on my case was a far better experience than I expected going in. They were thoughtful and listened to what I had to say. It was also gratifying that Kemmy Law Firm is truly a family affair with the Dad, Thomas, four sons and a daughter in law, Nick's wife, working together. If you're looking for legal representation, I wholeheartedly endorse Kemmy Law without reservation.- Jerry G. -
"I would recommend the Kemmy Law Firm 100 times out of 100."
We could not be more satisfied with Kemmy Law Firm. They represented us, and especially my father with respect and efficiency and earned every bit of what the law allowed. This helped my mother more than I can articulate. I would recommend the Kemmy Law Firm 100 times out of 100.
- Iaz P.
