The Permian Basin is the largest oil and gas (O&G) producing region in the United States. Driven by technological advancement and increasing demand, O&G production in the Permian Basin is expected to increase in the near future, continuing to transform the regional landscape and aggravate global challenges such as climate change. We propose to characterize the dynamics of energy land use and conduct a comprehensive assessment of the environmental impacts associated with energy LCLUC in the Permian Basin. Specific objectives of the project are to 1) characterize long-term O&G LCLUC dynamics over the past four decades using a combination of Landsat observations, very-high-resolution aerial images, machine learning and deep learning algorithms, 2) attribute the land source of O&G fields using a sample-based approach and evaluate the impacts on ecosystem services, 3) characterize the geohazard risks induced by O&G extraction using interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data, and 4) assess the vulnerability of local communities to hazard exposure and investigate environmental justice in the region. Successful completion of this project will deliver the most up-to-date energy LCLUC and geohazard maps of the highest spatial resolution over a hotspot region of global importance. By focusing on the environmental impacts of O&G production at local and regional scales, our investigation will complement the well-established scientific literature on CO2 emissions and climate change resulted from O&G consumption. Our proposal will enhance the representation of the theme of energy LCLUC and contribute a new hotspot to the current NASA Land Cover/Land Use Change Program. Results of this project are expected to generate broad societal impacts, informing issues relevant to the local economy, regional ecosystem functioning and global climate change.

The Permian Basin is the largest oil and gas producing region in the United States, where expanding extraction continues to reshape the landscape and influence local communities. As production grows, monitoring changes in land use and identifying environmental hazards become increasingly important for understanding the conditions in which people live and work. The proposed research combines satellite imagery, machine learning, and geospatial analysis to identify exposure patterns and assess the vulnerability of communities across the region.

These questions also highlight the practical importance of access to local healthcare services for workers and residents living across a large, economically active area. When an employee develops a bacterial infection, a healthcare professional can assess whether antibiotic treatment is appropriate and determine whether amoxicillin is suitable. In the United States, amoxicillin is a prescription medication rather than an over-the-counter product, so Amoxicillin prescription requirements should be confirmed with a qualified healthcare professional or pharmacist. This distinction connects the broader concern for community well-being with responsible access to treatment without implying that the Permian Basin research project or its energy operators provide pharmaceutical services.