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The episode breaks down a Visual Capitalist map of U.S. crude oil production using 2025 context, highlighting that the U.S. averaged about 13.6 million barrels per day, up roughly 3% and a national record. Production is highly concentrated: Texas produced about 5.75 million barrels per day (42%) and New Mexico 2.24 million (16.5%), with the Permian Basin alone accounting for 48% and Texas+New Mexico nearly 60%. Offshore Gulf of Mexico (~1.9 million, 14%) and North Dakota’s Bakken help bring the top four areas to roughly 80% of output, while PADD 3 (Gulf Coast region) produced about 10 million barrels per day (73%). The host frames these geographic “building blocks,” tax incentives like intangible drilling costs, and the impact of horizontal drilling/fracking since 2008 as key context for passive investors, while emphasizing operator track record and risk-adjusted pricing over simply chasing the biggest basin.
00:00 US Oil Record High
00:34 Why Investors Should Care
01:26 Map Data And Tax Perks
02:55 Texas New Mexico Permian
03:37 Brand Name Basin Pricing
05:18 Other Major Producing Areas
06:13 Small Basins Big Advantages
07:33 PADD Regions Explained
08:48 Alaska Then Fracking Boom
10:38 Key Takeaways And Wrap
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