That would be a lotta dying.
Would Texas ever secede? The only possible answer to that is “yes”, given that they already did so once. Is it likely to happen again any time soon? That one’s debatable, but probably not.
Not even close.
First, Texas produces more that 960,000 bbl/d. You say you are getting your information from the EIA, well here is a link directly to the EIA’s website showing they actually produce 1,235,000 bbl/d. Of course, I imagine if Texas was actually independent, they would lay claim to reserves located offshore of it; these production numbers only include onshore.
Second, you are way off on your reserves for the state. Again, here is a link to the EIA’s website showing that Texas has about 5 billion barrels of reserves. The Permian Basin alone dwarfs the reserve number you stated with around 3.7 billion barrels proved (counting Railroad Districts 8 and 8A as an estimate for the Permian). Further, proved reserves would obviously be an incredibly conservative estimate for reserves for this purpose. Also, again this only includes onshore.
Third, how in the world do you think it sounds reasonable to state that Texas consumes 5.5 MMbbl/d? That’s absurd. The entire Gulf Coast area of the U.S. doesn’t consume that much. The actual consumption number is closer to 3.3 MMbbl/d; however, that is obviously including crude oil that gets refined in Texas into various products and used elsewhere. In case you didn’t know, Texas has a large number of refineries and chemical plants. Crude oil may technically be consumed in the U.S., but then it is exported out of the state as gasoline, diesel, etc. Texas has something like 25% of the country’s refining capacity. Texas is eaily the largest industrial state and more than half of the consumption of the state is used for that purpose.
Finally, Texas is easily the largest oil producer, natural gas producer, and wind energy producer in the U.S. They are also the 12th largest coal producer, 5th largest nuclear, and 6th largest renewable producer. Add it all up and Texas is easily the largest energy producer in the U.S. To put it bluntly, Texas would have the capability of being “energy independent”.
By the way, I just noticed that your profile states you are a petroleum engineer. Wouldn’t it clue you in that you are way off on your numbers just from the simple fact that your reserves and production numbers would generate an incredibly low R/P ratio of 1.5?
Why is it anytime there are hypothetical talks about secession we speculate on how well a State would survive as a country that was expected to be 100% totally self-sufficient?
Not many countries in the world today are self sufficient by those standards, and that is the impetus for trade. Singapore gets along just fine BTW.
There will be an instant and sizable improvement in all metrics of society’s wellbeing the instant Texas secedes. It’s dragging US down and keeping the country among third-world levels in several areas of progress.
This would be no different than in the Southern Rebellion.
Yes because a state with twenty-two million people, with three cities of more than a million, a GDP of 1.224 trillion dollars, several military bases, home to several corporations, and having rich resources is just a redneck shithole to you. Why don’t you say this in Houston or Dallas in front of a crowd?
Because telling the ignorant they are worthless trash is dangerous, not because they are not, but because they are all carrying illegal guns on them.
That’s their American Way… Kill.
You are getting even more ridiculous in your regionalist stereotyping. Seriously do you get your ideas of Texas out of Family Guy or something?
I get my idea of Texas out of reality.
They’re scoring at the bottom 5% in about a dozen metrics, from education to social welfare.
It’s because they’re all Republicans. The US can do without Texas. It’s dragging the Union down and the numbers are there to show it.
Due in part to illegal immigration.
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Oh for crap’s sake… you do realize the mayor of Houston for instance is a Democrat?
I grew up in Texas, spending 22 years there. Have you ever actually been there yourself? For the sake of the Board members who live there and like the place, I try not to bitch so much about it, but I see where Naxos is coming from. I was glad to see the last of it.
I know the US like you do… thanks for your comments.
I do not really want to see the union broken but for giggles it’s crossed my mind.
Yes, I see where he’s coming from as well when he calls us all ignorant, worthless trash.
Do you have to live in Texas to disagree with Texans?
I have not doubt there are people there of like mind to me. I also know the state passes nutso laws so apparently at least 50% of the state plus one more person disagree with my notions. I am guessing it is more than that though.
However, that only goes double if you’re in West Texas. Oh, wait! 
I did not call you all anything.
I called the State as the major reason the US is being dragged down to oblivion.
The decent people living in the hell hole of Texas don’t seem to be capable of changing their reality.
When they do, it will be a new day for the US.
From West Texas, not in. I moved south. Even I have my standards. 
Well, I tried to vote twice, but they wouldn’t let me for some reason.