CARLSBAD, N.M. (AP) — Eddy County Sheriff's officials say they're investigating the theft of 139 barrels of crude oil from an oilfield.
They say the barrels were removed from property owned by Concho Resources near U.S. Highway 62/180.
The Carlsbad Current-Argus reports Concho's security supervisor contacted sheriff's officials on Jan. 31, but it's believed the theft occurred between last September and December.
The estimated loss is about $7,000.
Sheriff's officials say the department has a full-time oil field theft investigator.
They add that most oilfield sites are in isolated portions of Eddy County and it's difficult for detectives to find substantial information.
Authorities also say crude oil is not the easiest thing to sell because there's a limited amount of people that want to use it, other than the people working in the oilfield.
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Information from: Carlsbad Current-Argus, http://www.currentargus.com/