The Equality State

As strong as our local communities, as strong as our neighbors.

Select a basin below to hear stories from your community and find out what is happening under your feet

Select a basin on the map to the left to hear stories from your community and find out want is happening under your feet.

Big Horn Basin

Oil was first discovered in the Big Horn Basin in 1904 as it seeped out of the ground from a spring on the Bonanza Anticline. Commercial operations have been producing since, making the Big Horn Basin one of the largest cumulative oil-producing basins in Wyoming history.

Powder River Basin

A predominantly oil-producing basin, the Powder River Basin is home to more than 725 named oil fields. Stretching from Casper and Douglas and up to Gillette, the basin has produced more than 50% of all the oil in Wyoming annually since 2013.

Wind River Basin

Site of the first commercial oil well in Wyoming, the Mike Murphy #1 well in 1884, the Wind River Basin is the historic epicenter of production in Wyoming.

Green River Basin

The Green River Basin’s Pinedale and Jonah fields are Wyoming’s 1st and 3rd most productive gas fields. The basin also home to one of the largest helium reserves in the country.

DJ Basin

The entire basin stretches over several states including Southeast Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska. Oil was first discovered in Wyoming’s portion in 1901 but has seen significant development in recent years. Since 2017, the DJ has produced more than 10% of Wyoming’s total oil.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

One of the largest, nearly intact temperate zone ecosystems on Earth.

Powder River Basin

A predominantly oil-producing basin, the Powder River Basin is home to more than 725 named oil fields. Stretching from Casper to Douglas and up to Gillette, the basin has produced more than 50% of all the oil in Wyoming every year since 2013.

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Wind River Basin, Big Horn Basin, Green River Basin and DJ Basin coming soon.

Powering Wyoming's Potential

The Powder River Basin

Images from Gillette, Douglas, Casper and throughout northeast Wyoming.

Powering Wyoming’s Potential

It has been nearly 140 years since the first commercial oil well was drilled in Wyoming, near present day Lander, Wyoming. Since that first well, Wyoming-produced oil and natural gas have been an integral part of the global energy supply that we require every day. Wyoming fuels move goods across the country, heat our homes, allow us to traverse the globe and even put men and women in space. They also provide essential inputs into products we need every day like medical equipment, cosmetics, paint, and sporting equipment.

Wyoming’s history is unquestionably tied to oil and natural gas production (along with agriculture, mining, and tourism), which has shaped the state and its people. Wyomingites are hardworking, dedicated, self-reliant and care about their communities and neighbors because that is what is required from the industries like oil and gas. Wyomingites know that when oil and gas do well, the state thrives. Revenues from the oil and natural gas industry have contributed billions to Wyoming’s schools, public infrastructure, and local governments throughout its history.

What some may not know, however, is just how much the industry impacts the daily lives of those in our communities. Or how the oil and natural gas industry differs across the state – different geology, different communities, unique issues and opportunities. Powering Wyoming’s Potential is about making sure people know what is happening right under their feet, how the industry impacts communities across the state and what operators are doing to make sure the industry is around for years to come.

We hope you will explore this site to learn more about oil and natural gas in your part of the state. Sign up to stay informed about what is happening with the industry and let us know how oil and natural gas are Powering Wyoming’s Potential in your community.

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