Texas is facing a 'broken' shale industry. AI's power needs could be a lifeline.

Core Insights - The Texas shale boom is experiencing a slowdown, but demand from the AI sector may provide stability to the state's energy industry [1][3]. Industry Overview - Production activity in the US oil and gas sector, particularly in Texas, has declined for two consecutive quarters, with the oil rig count reaching its lowest level in nearly four years [1][2]. - The CEO of Diamondback Energy expressed a pessimistic outlook for the US shale oil production, suggesting it has likely peaked at current oil prices [2]. Demand Projections - The Electric Reliability Council of Texas forecasts that power demand in the state will increase significantly, from an initial estimate of 148 gigawatts by 2030 to 208 gigawatts [4]. - A substantial portion of this new demand, approximately 50 gigawatts, is anticipated to arise from data centers supporting the AI revolution [4]. Opportunities for Transition - Analysts indicate that existing energy assets in the Permian Basin, particularly natural gas turbines, are well-positioned to support the transition to new-economy applications [5]. - West Texas has ample land available for the construction of data centers and new power generation facilities, allowing developers to utilize stranded natural gas resources [6]. Resource Utilization - Produced water from oil and gas extraction can be utilized for cooling needs in data centers, while flared gas can be redirected to meet new power demands [7].