Innovation is at the heart of the oil and gas industry, especially here in the Permian Basin, and no sector has been as dynamic over the last few years as water management. As the President of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, I know how important water use has been for operators and that responsible water use is vital to the growth and development of our industry.
It’s imperative we continue to embrace new technologies that allow for better treatment and reuse of water, along with improved management of the large volumes of produced water that accompany drilling.
At PBPA, we have been excited to see water management take center stage as a priority for our long-time members and for our new members entering this space. Together we have learned about new technologies and how to leverage those advances to provide cost savings and environmental benefits for oil and gas operators.
This developing area of water management has been exciting to watch unfold here in the Permian Basin, the most active operating basin in the free world. Right here, we have seen companies innovate and partnerships develop what are now worldwide best-practice standards. This kind of industry collaboration and cooperation is no more evident than at the Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference (PBWIEC).
The oil and gas industry in the Permian Basin has been at the forefront of research and best practices in the water-use and management field. In order to continue this trend, the PBWIEC has convened a combination of research experts and industry leaders again for this year’s event. The conference will inform us about the changing landscape and excite attendees about the future of water-use in the oil and gas industry.
The 2022 PBWIEC will run February 22-24. It includes a welcome reception at the Petroleum Museum on Tuesday, February 22. Then two days of conference sessions at the Midland County Horseshoe Arena on Wednesday, February 23, and Thursday, February 24, along with a keynote dinner at the Petroleum Club Wednesday, February 23. The conference is bringing together an incredible group of industry and community leaders, respected academics, elected officials, and more!
I am honored to be a part of the Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference, led by the outstanding team at The University of Texas Permian Basin. They do such excellent work planning the event and assembling some of the brightest minds on this issue so that we can all learn and further elevate the industry.
America’s greatest humorist Mark Twain once said, “Whiskey is for drinking—water is for fighting.” However, this conference is a great reminder that together we can engage various sectors of our industry to discuss challenges, learn about solutions, and continue to develop water management systems that: limit freshwater use, increase produced water treatment and reuse, and make those services more economical and beneficial for our entire region.
Since 2017, the PBWIEC has brought together the most impressive minds and created opportunities for people across different sectors to tackle one of the most important challenges that oil and gas operators are working on today: water-use and water management.
The 2022 Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference is promising to be the best one yet, with a list of diverse speakers, experts, innovators, and regulators from Texas, New Mexico, Colorado and beyond. In addition to the opportunities for learning and synergy, the conference will present great networking prospects for seasoned operators and start-ups alike. So whether it’s soaking up new ideas and concepts, or networking during the keynote lunches or dinner, there’s something for everyone at this important conference.
The Permian Basin Petroleum Association is proud to participate in the 2022 Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference, and I’m excited to serve as the keynote speaker for the lunch on Thursday, February 24. Please visit www.waterinenergy.com to learn more and to register today, and I look forward to seeing you at the conference!
Ben Shepperd
President of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association