A Documentary of the Survival of a Forgotten Group Deep in the Texas Oil FieldsHis hard hat was smeared with black crude oil, and his heavy work boots echoed dully on the steel grating. This was his fourteenth consecutive day of work, twelve hours a day, with no weekends and no holidays. In this land known as the energy heart of the US, oil workers like Jack - known in the industry as "Landman" - are writing a national energy legend with their sweat and blood.
However, behind the soaring stock prices on Wall Street and politicians' declarations of energy independence, the real lives of these workers remain largely unknown. They are the invisible pillars of the US economic miracle, yet also one of the most overlooked groups of this era.
Modern Gladiators in the Steel Jungle
At 4 a.m., when most Americans are still in their dreams, the oil workers' dormitory area on the outskirts of Midland, Texas, is already brightly lit. Here, oil workers from all over the US gather, carrying their own dreams and despair, seeking a livelihood on this desolate land.
"Everyone here has their own story," said 38-year-old drilling supervisor Mark Rodriguez, his face etched with the marks of time and sandstorms. "Some are here to pay off debts, some to send their kids to college, and others simply because they couldn't find work elsewhere."
Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that the injury rate in the oil extraction industry is seven times the national average. In the past decade, more than 1,200 oil workers have lost their lives on the job in Texas alone. But behind these cold numbers are individual lives and broken families.
The work intensity on the drilling platform is unimaginable. Workers need to operate equipment weighing several tons on a derrick up to 150 feet high, enduring tremendous psychological and physiological stress. Toxic gas leaks, equipment explosions, and falls from heights - the shadow of death constantly looms over this industry.
"We're like modern-day gladiators," said Bill Johnson, an old worker who has been working in the oil field for 15 years, with a bitter smile. "The only difference is that at least the gladiators of ancient Rome had spectators cheering them on."
The exhausted land, the exhausted people
Viewed from the air, thousands of drilling rigs stand like a steel forest on the desolate land of the Permian Basin. This area was once a hunting ground for Native Americans, but now it has become the world's largest shale oil production region. The US dream of energy independence has become a reality here, but at what cost?
A report from an environmental organization shows that the air pollution index in western Texas has increased by 300% over the past decade. Groundwater has been contaminated by large amounts of chemicals, and the cancer incidence rate among local residents has risen significantly. Workers directly employed in oil fields bear the brunt of these environmental costs.
"Our lungs are full of chemicals," said Carlos Sanchez, a 29-year-old driller from a Mexican immigrant family who came to the oil field to support his wife and two young children. "But we have no choice; we need this job."
The Poverty Paradox Behind Prosperity
Ironically, in an industry that has created trillions of dollars in wealth, the real wealth creators - oil workers - live a hand-to-mouth existence.
According to statistics from the US Department of Labor, the average annual income of oil workers is $65,000, which may seem not low, but this figure masks significant inequality. New workers often earn only $35,000 annually, and due to the cyclical nature of the industry, the unemployment rate is as high as 15%, three times the national average.
"We created the US energy miracle, but we can't even afford to buy a house," James Williams, who has worked in the shale oil field for eight years, said angrily. "The company's executives live in mansions in Dallas, while we're crowded into trailer homes."
Housing issues are indeed one of the biggest challenges faced by oil workers. Due to the population influx brought about by the oil boom, rents in West Texas have increased by 400% over the past decade. Many workers are forced to live in makeshift "man-made villages" with poor conditions and a lack of basic living facilities.
The Cost of Family
The harshness of the oil industry is not only manifested at the work site but also profoundly affects the family lives of workers. The long-term shift system means that workers often go months without seeing their families. Divorce rates, alcoholism rates, and drug abuse rates are all significantly higher among oil workers than the national average.
Sarah Thompson, Jack Thompson's wife, is raising two children alone in a small town in Oklahoma. "The kids sometimes ask when their dad is coming home," she said with tears in her eyes. "I don't know how to answer."
Mental health experts point out that the suicide rate among oil workers is 40% higher than the national average. Work stress, family separation, economic insecurity, and uncertainty about the future together constitute a heavy psychological burden.
"We're not just extracting oil; we're also extracting our own lives," said Dr. Mary Johnson, a psychotherapist who specializes in providing mental health services to oil workers. "This industry is devouring people's bodies, minds, and families."
Voices Forgotten by Politics
"Politicians like to talk about our importance, but never care about our well-being," said Tom Brown, a representative of the oil workers' union. "We are props in their campaign speeches, but not considerations when they make policies."
In recent years, with the rise of Renewable Energy and the intensification of the climate change issue, oil workers have felt unprecedented pressure. They are portrayed as accomplices in environmental destruction rather than ordinary people struggling to support their families.
"We're not the enemy," Mark Rodriguez said. "We're just doing the jobs we can find to provide for our families. If there were better options, who would want to risk their lives working here every day?"
Human Considerations in Energy Transition
The US is undergoing an energy transition, and the shift from fossil fuels to Renewable Energy seems irreversible. But in this grand transformation, how will the fate of oil workers be arranged?
Some forward-looking companies have begun to invest in worker retraining programs to help oil workers transition to emerging industries such as wind and solar energy. However, the scale of such programs is limited and far from meeting the demand.
"The transition is necessary, but it cannot come at the expense of workers," said labor rights advocate Linda Davis. "These people have dedicated their youth and health to the US's energy security, and society has a responsibility to ensure they are not left behind in the transition."
Some oil workers have already started to proactively seek change. Michael Green, a 35-year-old former driller, became a wind turbine technician through a government-funded training program. "Skills are transferable," he said. "We have experience working at heights and skills in operating heavy equipment; we just need a little training to adapt to the new job."
Call for Decent Work
On the desolate plains of western Texas, as the sun sets, oil workers end their day of toil. They take off their oil-stained work clothes, wash the sweat and dust from their faces, and prepare to face another equally arduous day of work tomorrow.
These men and women have made significant contributions to the US's energy independence with their own sweat and blood. They should not be regarded as victims of energy politics, nor should they be scapegoated for environmental issues. They are the nation's builders and deserve due respect and protection.
"We're not asking for perks," Jack Thompson said at the end of a long day, his voice hoarse from fatigue. "We're just asking for fairness—fair pay, a safe working environment, and the right not to be forgotten when the country discusses its future."
As the US continues to waver at the crossroads of energy policy, policymakers should remember that behind every abstract policy discussion lie real people like Jack, Mark, and Carlos. Their fates should not be determined solely by market forces and political calculations, but rather by considerations of human dignity and basic rights.
In this era of transition between old and new energy, what we need is not only technological innovation and policy adjustment, but also humanistic care and social justice. Only in this way can the US energy transition truly achieve inclusive development, ensuring that no one who has contributed to the country is left behind by the wheels of history.
As night falls, the drilling rigs in western Texas remain brightly lit, and the roar of machinery echoes across the wilderness. Behind this light are the silent perseverance of countless oil workers. Their story is the story of the US working class - filled with toil, sacrifice, and unyielding dignity.
This article is based on in-depth interviews with oil workers in western Texas and analysis of relevant statistical data. To protect the privacy of interviewees, some names are aliases.
