Members,
In this edition of The Standard, we’re pleased to share updates highlighting PBPA’s ongoing advocacy and engagement across the Permian Basin and beyond. From participation in Texas House interim hearings to efforts in Washington, D.C., our team continues to represent your interests at both the state and federal levels. You’ll also find recaps from recent events, key regulatory updates, and opportunities to contribute to important industry surveys, including our Health, Safety & Environment Benchmarking Survey.
As we look ahead, we invite you to join us at upcoming events like the Spring Swing Golf Tournament and the Clay Shoot + Pit King Challenge—great opportunities to connect with peers and support the association. Be sure to review the sections below for additional updates, PBPA activities, and community events across the region. We appreciate your continued support and engagement.
Important Updates
- 2026 Spring Swing Golf Tournament
- NMSLO Public Hearing
- PBPA Engages in Texas House Interim Hearings
- PBPA in Washington, D.C.
- 2026 Health, Safety & Environment Benchmarking Survey
- 2026 Clay Shoot + Pit King Challenge
- Committee Meetings
Community Events
- Midland College PPDC Courses
- EnergyPlex Conference - Hobbs, NM
- West Texas Legislative Summit - San Angelo, TX
- Additional events can be found on the online event calendar!
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2026 Spring Swing Golf Tournament
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We’re looking forward to a great day at the upcoming Spring Swing Golf Tournament and appreciate the strong interest from our membership! ⛳
At this time, only four (3) team opportunities remain, and they are only available through our sponsorship packages. Sponsor now to secure your spot on the course and gain added visibility and engagement throughout the event!
The remaining sponsorship opportunities that include a 4-man team are:
- The Master's Sponsor
- Ace Sponsor
- Photography Sponsor
With only a few spots left, we anticipate they will be claimed soon. If you’re interested in participating, we’d be happy to share additional details and help you find the best fit.
For more information on this event, please call our office at 432-684-6345 or email Jamie Ramirez-Lujan at jamie@pbpa.info.
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NMSLO Public Hearing
Earlier this month, the New Mexico State Land Office (SLO) announced its formal rulemaking to update bonding requirements for oil and gas development on State Trust Lands. At this time, PBPA plans to join NMOGA’s efforts as a party to this rulemaking. NMOGA has hired Holland & Hart to help prepare for the public hearing, which is scheduled for May 27 - 28, 2026. The effort will also include redlines of SLO’s proposal that will be submitted in writing.
Public Hearing:
May 27 - 28 at 9:00 AM (and continuing thereafter as necessary)
New Mexico State Land Office, Morgan Hall, Room 101
310 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Zoom option will be made available
If you would like to submit your own public comments, they are due by 11:59 PM (MT) on May 26, 2026. Comments should be emailed to info@nmslo.gov.
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PBPA Engages in Texas House Interim Hearings
PBPA has officially begun its engagement in interim hearings, with the first hearing of the Texas House Energy Resources Committee taking place in Austin. The Committee addressed two primary charges:
- Implementation Oversight: Monitor the implementation and rulemaking associated with legislation passed by the Committee during the 89th Legislature, ensuring legislative intent is properly carried out. This includes HB 48, which relates to the creation of an organized oilfield theft prevention unit within the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- Global Energy Overview: Evaluate the impact of increased geopolitical uncertainty on Texas’s oil and gas industry. This includes consideration of regime changes in the Middle East, the importation of Venezuelan oil, tanker traffic risks in the Strait of Hormuz, and disruptions in the global liquefied natural gas market.
PBPA President Ben Shepperd provided testimony highlighting the Permian Basin’s critical role in global oil production. He emphasized the challenges posed by suppressed commodity prices over the past year and noted that increasing production is not as simple as “flipping a switch.” Despite these challenges, he reaffirmed that the Permian Basin remains the premier operating region in the free world and continues to help shield consumers from more severe price volatility.
PBPA also provided testimony on efforts to combat oilfield theft. Michael Lozano updated the Committee on the work of the Railroad Commission’s STOP Theft Task Force and its collaboration with the Department of Public Safety Task Force. Since early 2026, both groups have met regularly and identified key resource needs to strengthen the investigation and prosecution of oilfield theft across Texas. These efforts will inform recommendations to the Legislature.
Our testimony can be found here. Michael Lozano’s testimony begins at 1:17:00, and Ben Shepperd’s begins at 3:05:35.
While this hearing marked PBPA’s initial engagement with the interim committee process this cycle, it will not be the last. PBPA remains committed to actively participating in discussions on the wide range of issues impacting our industry and looks forward to continued collaboration with legislative leaders as we prepare for the next session.
Additional Resources
PBPA will host a Texas Legislative Committee meeting in May 2026. If you are a Wildcat-level member or higher and would like to be included, please contact Michael@pbpa.info.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. PBPA looks forward to working alongside our members to ensure the Permian Basin remains the safest and most responsible place to develop our nation’s natural resources.
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PBPA in Washington, D.C.
On April 14 & 15, PBPA staff joined the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), one of our federal association partners, on their 2026 Call-Up. A few PBPA members who are also IPAA members were also a part of several of these meetings. This trip gave us a great opportunity to engage with a number of members of Congress and their staff to discuss our federal priorities. In these meetings, we discussed permitting reform, reuse of treated produced water, electricity needs in our region, the impact of international conflicts on operations in our region, and more.
PBPA staff met with the following members of Congress:
- Rep. August Pfluger (R, TX-11)
- Rep. Nick Begich (R, AK-At Large)
- Rep. Matt Van Epps (R, TN-7)
- Rep. Jake Ellzey (R, TX-6)
- Rep. Gabe Evans (R, CO-8)
- Rep. Bruce Westerman (R, AR-4)
- Rep. Jodey Arrington (R, TX-19)
- Rep. Nathaniel Moran (R, TX-1)
We also met with staff from the following Congressional offices:
- Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
- Rob MacGregor, Republican Policy Director for Natural Resources, Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee
- Jennifer Michael, Democrat Energy Professional Staff Member for Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee
- Rep. August Pfluger (R, TX-11)
- Rep. Jodey Arrington (R, TX-19)
- Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D, NM-2)
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The PBPA Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) Committee is ready to conduct its 9th HSE benchmarking survey.
This survey allows PBPA members to compare their safety incident, spill performance and environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) statistics to blinded data obtained from peer companies.
If you are not already a part of the HSE committee and would like to participate in this year's survey, please reach out to Stephen at stephen@pbpa.info.
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Registration is now open for PBPA’s Annual Clay Shoot—one of our most anticipated events of the year! Join us at Jake’s Clays in Midland for a morning of sporting clays, followed by a crowd-favorite cook-off lunch.
This event offers the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow industry professionals, entertain clients, or treat your team to a day outside the office. Whether you’re a seasoned shooter or just there for the camaraderie, the Clay Shoot is all about building relationships and enjoying great company in a relaxed setting.
Not a shooter? No problem. Put your culinary skills to the test in the Oil Patch Pit King Challenge! Fire up the pit, serve your best dish, and compete for the title of this year’s Pit King.
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- Health, Safety & Environment Committee: 5/5/2026
- Regulatory Practices Committee: 5/19/2026
- Electrical Coalition: 5/19/2026
For more information on these or any of our other committees, please contact Christine Dooley at christine@pbpa.info or 432-684-6345.
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MC PPDC provides quality training programs designed to keep oil and gas industry professionals current in their areas of expertise by offering the latest industry updates, as well as providing timely and pertinent educational opportunities. Click the link below for upcoming classes being offered by the MC PPDC in the coming months.
Customized Training Available! For more information contact Midland College PPDC at (432) 683-2832 or cepetroleumtraining@midland.edu
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June 8-9, 2026
Hobbs, NM
Lea County is known as the EnergyPlex, home to traditional energies, including oil and gas, and nuclear, as well as renewable energy such as wind and solar. The New Mexico EnergyPlex Conference, hosted by the Economic Development Corporation of Lea County, is free to attend and open to the public. Register for an in-depth look at different energy industries within Lea County and the opportunity to network with industry professionals.
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August 5-6, 2026
San Angelo, TX
The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, along with honorary co-hosts Texas Senator Charles Perry and Texas Representative Drew Darby, will hold its 22nd Annual West Texas Legislative Summit on Thursday, August 6th, 2026.
This year’s Summit will focus on state issues with the overarching theme of “West Texas Horizon: Innovating for Opportunities, Grounded in Stewardship”.
The event begins on Wednesday, August 5th, with the Summit Soiree. This year’s Soiree debuts an elevated new format, designed to spark conversation and connection in a relaxed setting. Enjoy an evening of gourmet-style hors d’oeuvres and signature cocktails—all in a vibrant atmosphere perfect for mingling.
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Permian Basin Petroleum Association | 601 North Marienfeld St., Suite 200, Midland, TX 79701
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