THE BASIN ENDURE'

摘要

The 1940s and 1950s were the golden age of the Permian Basin,marked by many of its biggest,most legendary field discoveries.In 1950,more than 215 oil companies had offices in Midland and the population increased to almost 22,000,according to the Texas State Historical Association.By 1960,the population was close to three times that.Midland residents also began to enjoy a new two-story library and museum constructed by the county.However,volatility remained the force that underpinned the fate of cities and companies throughout the basin.The local economy slumped between 1960 and 1970 as the domestic oil industry was overwhelmed by oil imports,primarily from the OPEC cartel.Oil traded as low as $3 per barrel.