Oilfield thefts soar in Texas as prices boom
Sunday, 29 June 2008
MIDLAND, Texas, June 28 (AFP): The wide open oilfields of West Texas are ripe pickings for thieves these days.
Some drive up to one of the thousands of pump jacks that dot the countryside and siphon crude out of the storage tanks.
Some pull up to a drill site after the crews have gone for the night and haul away tools, pipes and equipment.
Others take kickbacks, file false invoices or just plain steal knowing their bosses are too busy riding the oil boom to keep a close eye on accounting.
Some drive up to one of the thousands of pump jacks that dot the countryside and siphon crude out of the storage tanks.
Some pull up to a drill site after the crews have gone for the night and haul away tools, pipes and equipment.
Others take kickbacks, file false invoices or just plain steal knowing their bosses are too busy riding the oil boom to keep a close eye on accounting.