'SCOOP' Creates New Drilling Targets, Economic Boom In Oklahoma

Experts call it the "next big thing" in oil and gas. It's known as SCOOP, and it's not just creating new drilling targets, but reviving towns.

It stands for South Central Oklahoma Oil Provence. An area of land that has everything in it flourishing.

Oil bust is the nickname some gave Grady county and the town of Chickasha after the oil and gas boom of the 1980's. But now, thanks to SCOOP, that bust is now a boom once again and it's even bigger than before.

"This is like there's no competition in town because there are so many extra people in town," said Eduardo's owner Brook Lister.

Eduardo's Mexican restaurant in Chickasha has been busy.

"Versus last year we've been up 30 percent in sales," Lister said.

Owner Brook Lister was born in Chickasha and this wave of new people is new to him.

"I have never seen it like this," Lister said.

But still, business isn't good.

"Business is great. I wouldn't even say good right now, I would say great," Lister said.

Over the last six months, Lindel Pettigrew with Chickasha Bank has seen businesses grow all over Chickasha.

"One new hotel, extended stay hotel that started construction, RV parks that are pretty much full," said Lindel Pettigrew with Chickasha Bank.

What's causing this economic boom is the fact that Grady County is right in the middle of an area called SCOOP, an acronym for South Central Oklahoma Oil Province, the latest target for oil and gas companies.

Several billion barrels of undeveloped liquid have been recently discovered and can now be accessed due to new technology.

"We have had 11 or 12 companies open offices here," Pettigrew said.

Which has kept Grady County Clerk Sharon Shoemake busy.

"The areas we considered hot areas in the 80's now it's all over the county," said Grady County Clerk Sharon Shoemake.

For example, last quarter, SCOOP was Continental Resources second largest resource for oil and gas. With numbers like that, land men and women have flocked to Sharon's office searching for the right land records.

"It's great for our economy. It's great for our town, it's great for our office," Shoemake said.

Residents of the county say this is just the beginning. They hope to benefits from scoop for the next three to four years. After that, Lindell Pettigrew said businesses will have to manage now for when that time comes.