Ben Shepperd,
PBPA President
While we all continue to address ongoing Covid-19 challenges, the Permian Basin Petroleum Association has been developing new and innovative methods to engage with our members as we advocate on behalf of operators and Permian Basin communities.
While surely not our preference, PBPA has had to make informed decisions that protect the health of our members and staff in keeping to socially distant, but meaningful, communications that continue to have a benefit for the industry here in America’s Oilfield.
There are many challenges associated with hosting in-person events for PBPA members that allow for networking, education, and engagement with elected officials and others. However, our efforts to bring these events to our members in a digital format continue.
One way we have determined to enhance our member outreach is through weekly webinars. Our partnership with OTA Compression and Kimark to develop and co-host these events every Wednesday have continued to provide unique and educational insight on a wide variety of issues.
Recently, PBPA hosted a webinar that covered bankruptcy challenges for companies across the Permian Basin in the face of demand destruction and the price war occurring with the Saudis and the Russians.
PBPA also heard recently about the challenges with rural healthcare in the face of Covid-19 and what challenges local hospitals and systems are facing with testing and treatment. Additionally, we heard from leaders of local and statewide medical centers that provided membership with the insight about the disease and the most recent research findings about its spread and danger.
Our Board of Directors, and all committees, including the Regulatory Practices, New Mexico, and Texas Legislative Committees, have been meeting regularly as well through web and tele-conferencing.
With the wide variety of options to meet electronically, PBPA is continuing to have an impact on regulatory rulemaking in Texas and New Mexico, as well as constructive discussions with elected and appointed officials to ensure the voice of operators in the Permian Basin is heard on a variety of important issues.
We also greatly appreciate the willingness of our members in accepting these new methods of gathering. The innovation that is so evident in all of our industry’s activities extends to our efforts in quickly adapting to this “new normal” and while many of our member companies are establishing “work from home” protocols, I’d argue that their and our efficacy remains high.
PBPA is also consistently reviewing our options for the second half of the year to gather in person in several ways and will certainly heed the advice of medical professionals, lawmakers, and of course the direction of our Board, in making these decisions.
However, you can rest assured that although we are separated by distance, we are united in our effort to promote the Permian Basin and ensure that the next generation that call it home can enjoy the fruits of your labor and provide abundant, affordable, and reliable domestic energy to make America more energy and economically secure.
Thank you for your commitment to the industry and PBPA, and as always please let us know how we can assist in any way.