H.R. 4034: Protect the Permian Act of 2025

The "Protect the Permian Act of 2025" is a legislative proposal aimed at addressing oil theft in the Permian Basin region. The bill includes several key components:

Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force

The bill authorizes the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to establish a dedicated program to combat oil theft in the Permian Basin through a specialized unit known as the Permian Basin Oil Theft Task Force. This task force will:

• Be composed of at least two full-time FBI employees, including a head for the task force.
• Work with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, along with other organizations that have expertise in the oil and gas industry.
• Submit annual reports to the President and relevant congressional committees detailing their activities, such as the number of criminal charges brought and funds spent on operations.

Criminal Penalties Enhancement

The bill seeks to strengthen penalties for crimes related to oil theft by amending existing laws. Key amendments include:

• Increasing the maximum prison sentence for certain thefts related to oil and pipeline systems from 10 years to 15 years.
• Adding provisions for oil, pipeline, and related assets under theft laws, thus expanding the scope of what can be penalized.
• Similar increases in the penalties for transportation and sale of stolen goods related to the oil industry, raising the maximum prison term for these offenses from 10 years to 15 years.

Funding for Anti-Theft Programs

The bill also aims to enhance funding for anti-theft initiatives by allowing certain federal funds to be used for programs specifically targeting oil theft and related crimes. This will include:

• Using funds to combat oil theft, as well as to hire personnel dedicated to investigating and preventing such thefts.

Authorization of Appropriations

To support the task force and its activities, the bill authorizes an allocation of funds ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000 to be used for its operations.

Reporting Requirements

The task force must provide an annual report detailing its activities to Congress and the President, which will help monitor the effectiveness of the initiatives against oil theft.

Conclusion of Key Elements

Overall, the bill aims to create a structured response to oil theft in the Permian Basin through enhanced law enforcement efforts, increased penalties for offenders, and dedicated funding for anti-theft programs.

Relevant Companies

• XOM (ExxonMobil Corporation) - As a major oil producer in the Permian Basin, this company could face increased scrutiny and enforcement efforts related to oil theft.
• CVX (Chevron Corporation) - Another significant player in the Permian Basin whose operations may be directly affected by enhanced security measures against oil theft.
• PXD (Pioneer Natural Resources Company) - This company operates extensively in the Permian Basin and could be impacted by changes in law enforcement and penalties tied to oil theft.