08-04-2025
Texas Land Commissioner executes agreement to explore benefits of produced water treatment in West Texas
Apr. 8—AUSTIN — Texas Land Commissioner Dr. Dawn Buckingham announced April 8 that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) has signed an agreement with EOG Resources Inc. that provides access to one acre of state-owned land in Reeves County for potential future testing involving irrigation of planted crops with treated produced water in a controlled environment to study the effects on soil quality, vegetative health, soil biology, physiology, and nutrient allocation.
Produced water treatment projects focus on providing safe reuse for various purposes such as irrigation and power generation.
"As the steward of 13 million acres of energy-rich state land and the largest land and mineral owner in Texas, the GLO is proud to utilize our state land for innovative solutions that encourage Texas' energy independence and benefit the school children of Texas," Buckingham said in a news release. "Produced water treatment projects will hopefully lead to additional water reuse opportunities and help foster a new water supply source for many Texas industries. I look forward to working with others in the year ahead to further advance reuse of produced water."
Under the terms of the agreement, a benchmark study will be established for the current soil and biological content and conditions in Reeves County. Additionally, quarterly, measurable studies would be conducted during the project to demonstrate any changes to soil and plant characteristics resulting from the application of treated produced water.
This land agreement comes several months after Buckingham secured the most extensive Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCS) transportation and storage lease in state history.
