SPE, PWS Appoint Midland Professional To Organizational Roles

Jonna D. Smoot

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) board of directors elected Jonna D. Smoot, Business Development professional at Lanmark Engineering, to its board and tapped her to serve as Programs Co-Chair. Meanwhile, the board of the Produced Water Society (PWS) elected Smoot to serve as Permian Basin Chapter President for the Produced Water Society (PWS).

The appointments come as produced water infrastructure, beneficial reuse, water stewardship and long-term regional strategy continue gaining importance across the Permian Basin energy sector. Smoot previously co-created and helped lead the Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference (PBWIEC) and has spent much of the past several years helping connect conversations surrounding produced water strategy, infrastructure scalability, beneficial reuse and regulatory coordination. “The produced water conversation has evolved far beyond disposal,” said Smoot. “Today it sits at the intersection of infrastructure, regulation, environmental stewardship, industrial growth, and long-term Texas water strategy. I’m excited to help facilitate meaningful industry discussions that bring together operators, regulators, engineers, researchers and infrastructure leaders as these conversations continue evolving.”

Within SPE, Smoot will help support technical programming and industry engagement efforts for one of the nation’s most active energy-producing regions.

Through PWS leadership, she will help support continued collaboration surrounding produced water regulation, infrastructure development, recycling, beneficial reuse and emerging technologies impacting the energy sector.

Steve Coffee, President of Produced Water Society, said, “Produced Water is now considered one of the most critical aspects for oil and gas exploitation and mineral recovery. The Permian Basin plays a critical role in global energy supply and is highly visible on the international stage. PWS is thrilled to have Jonna help lead the way as we approach our 11^th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Midland this August.”

In addition to her energy industry involvement, Smoot serves as a founding board member and Treasurer of The Stelter Initiative, a Permian Basin nonprofit focused on regional cleanup and beautification efforts that have removed more than 300,000 pounds of trash from local communities in under three years.