Folks FYI , there is a new group called the Panhandle Import Reduction Initiative representing oil field workers and independents that is going nationwide that started in the Panhandle-Permian and New Mexico's San Juan and Artesia, NM. The mission of the group is to restrict crude imports from overseas. “Why are we buying imports from the Mid-East when OPEC has launched an offensive to basically shut down our industry?” Fine said. “It’s the same oil we’re producing in our shale basins where we have great supplies to meet market need. We can be completely self-sufficient, so let’s cut off over-supply of cheap imported oil.”

Initiative leaders will present their proposal to whomever wins this year’s elections, asking the new president to use executive authority to cease crude shipped from overseas by March 1. Only imports from Canada and Mexico would be allowed.

“It would break OPEC’s back with respect to price manipulation and lead to market prices set by U.S. supply and demand,” said Tom Cambridge, owner and chairman of Cambridge Production in Amarillo, Texas. The movement has so far garnered support from about 600 producers and other industry sectors in New Mexico and West Texas, Fine said.

By and large, it’s led by small, independent producers, who are the ones most hurt in the oil bust, said John Yates Jr. of Yates Petroleum in Artesia. “Import reductions would help stabilize the smaller companies and independents who are the most impacted, and it would put a lot of people back to work,” Yates said. “It would allow producers to make it through the downturn, while helping the state and federal governments with taxes and royalties. It’s incumbent on everyone to make sure we survive this. PLEASE JOIN US! @ https://www.facebook.com/PanhandleImportReductionInitiative/?fref=ts