Shale Drillers Turn Against Each Other as Toxic Water Leaks Hit Biggest US Oil Field

The toxic water that gushes out of oil wells in the Permian Basin of Texas and New Mexico has spurred environmental concerns and even earthquakes. Now the problem has become so acute that it’s turning producers against one another.

In an ongoing case in Texas’ Loving County (population: 48), a New Mexico oil driller says Devon Energy Corp. and another company wrecked its reserves by flooding them with wastewater.