Ben Shepperd,
PBPA President
This has certainly been a difficult first half of 2020 for oil and gas producers in the Permian Basin. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent economic destruction that followed, those across the region have seen great economic challenges. However, economic volatility is not new in our industry and I am certain that because of the people and the geology in the Permian Basin, we will again lead our nation out of this recession because of abundant, affordable, natural resources located in America’s Oilfield.
A very important reality however is that while the wheels of activity slowed down through the region, the wheels of government continued to move, and PBPA and our member companies have been hard at work contributing to rule-making in Texas and New Mexico to ensure that the consistent and reasonable regulatory environment allows operators to continue to safely and responsibly develop our region’s natural resources for generations to come.
Over the last month alone, PBPA has worked extensively with elected and appointed officials in the Land of Enchantment and the Lone Star State on issues related to air quality to ensure that all proposals are made with the input of the industry that will have to live with these rules and regulations. These proposals can be made by regulatory bodies who rely on the industry to explain exactly how they would work in practice and the onus is on us to work with these agencies to better understand the industry challenges as they exist.
In Texas and New Mexico, for example, our association works diligently with agencies to accomplish these goals. In particular our work with members to draft comments on proposals like the “Methane Rules” in New Mexico at both the Oil Conservation Division and the Environment Department as well as our work with the Texas Methane and Flaring Coalition to develop a data sheet and matrix with the Texas Railroad Commission have been massive undertakings.
Comprising hundreds of hours of work for PBPA staff and member companies, these public comments will better inform state agencies about the impacts of their rule-making as well as provide important industry feedback about potential solutions or compromises. Our ability to work with agencies and achieve common goals with reasonable methods is vital to the success of our industry.
Additionally, PBPA has brought important leaders like Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick and Texas Commissioner Emily Lindley to speak to our members directly and answer any questions they may have about the efforts of the agencies or priorities moving forward. It is always important for PBPA and its members to know not just what is occurring today at agencies across the region, but to also know what will be heading our way in the near future.
Being a member of PBPA is of vital importance because this is a time when so many truly important decisions are being made all across the country, and the decisions being made will absolutely have a lasting impact on the oil and gas industry.
On behalf of PBPA, we hope you and your employees remain well and we thank you for being a valued member of this distinguished organization. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if we may be of any assistance.