Vol. 8 No. 9

Members, 

In this version of The Standard, we provide several updates, including information on recent BLM activities, our 2025 Top Hand Honoree, and the New Mexico Special Session. Our team has been hard at work advocating for the oil and gas industry in the Permian, and your input and participation are highly appreciated.

Below, you will also find information on our October Luncheon at the 2025 PBIOS, the rescheduled reception honoring Secretary Doug Burgum, and other important information. As always, we also provide details on upcoming PBPA events and other relevant community activities:

Important Updates

• PBPA Luncheon at the 2025 PBIOS
• NM Special Session
• New OCD Forms for Facility Transfer
• New ERCOT Board Members
• Fraud Alert from the Texas Comptroller
• Update From the Tax Front
• EPA Proposed Amendments to GHGRP
• BLM Proposing to Rescind the Conservation & Landscape Health Rule
• BLM Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process
• RECAP: 63rd PBPA Annual Meeting
• 2025 Top Hand Honoree
• Reception Honoring the U.S. Department of Interior Sect. Burgum
• 2026 Membership Renewals 
• Q3 New Members
• Committee Meetings

Community Events

• Midland College PPDC Courses
• Permian Power Connection
• Texas Tech Energy Law Symposium
• Bridging Argentina & Texas Seminar
• Additional events can be found on the online event calendar!

Regards, 

Ben Shepperd

PBPA President

Join the PBPA at the Permian Basin International Oil Show for a special luncheon on Wednesday, October 22nd. Hear directly from PBPA leaders as they share updates on recent Texas & New Mexico legislation, regulatory practices, and electrical infrastructure challenges shaping the Permian Basin. This panel discussion will provide valuable insights into the issues impacting operators and service companies alike. Rarely do PBPA’s committee chairs get together for this type of joint discussion. You won’t want to miss it!

Moderator: Ben Shepperd, PBPA President & 2025 PBIOS Honoree

Panelists:
Johnny Carlock, Targa Resources, Electrical Coalition Chair

Kristin Gragg, G4 Regulatory Solutions, Regulatory Practices Committee Chair

Michael Lozano, PBPA, Texas Legislative Committee Chair

Mike Miller, PBPA, New Mexico Legislative Committee

Luncheon registration includes free admission to the Oil Show immediately following the event, plus access to exclusive first-come, first-served parking.

A special thanks to our cooking sponsors, Lucky Family of Excellence and SLB!

NM Special Session

Governor Lujan Grisham has called for a Special Legislative Session to begin on October 1, 2025. According to a press release from the Governor’s office, legislation considered during this special session is going to address:

• Funding to the Rural Health Care Delivery Fund to allow stabilization grants for quality health care providers.
• Taking action to make health insurance premiums more affordable in the marketplace and for New Mexicans losing Medicaid coverage.
• New investments in food assistance for children, seniors and families in need.
• Funding for public broadcasting.
• Additional resources to help the Health Care Authority prepare for upcoming Medicaid enrollment changes.

While none of the above topics directly mention the oil and gas industry, each of them would likely require new funding streams, and none of us has forgotten that in the last regular session, the legislature attempted to create just such a funding stream on the backs of your operations. We will be closely monitoring and engaging in this session to protect your operations in the Permian Basin.  If you are interested in being more involved in our legislative efforts in New Mexico, please reach out to the PBPA staff.

New OCD Forms for Facility Transfer

On August 29, 2025, the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) announced a new form to facilitate the transfer of facilities between operators.  OCD claims the need for the form is attributed to the 2021 Methane Waste Rule.

In conjunction with a C-145 (if also transferring wells), operators must now complete the new Facility Transfer Form, which will be located on the forms web page on the OCD Website. OCD claims the new form will function like previous OCD paper forms, with the exception that operators will complete the form and the associated Excel spreadsheet (see attached). Once completed, the form and attachments should be emailed to ocd.enviromental@emnrd.nm.gov.

Digital form submission through OCD permitting will be evaluated and scheduled during a later digital development period.

OCD encourages all operators to carefully review the new form to ensure a smooth transition of facilities between operators. Additional questions can be sent to the Environmental Bureau email ocd.environmental@emnrd.nm.gov.

New ERCOT Board Members

This month, ERCOT announced the selection of two new members, Christopher A. Krummel of Houston and Kathleen S. McAllister of Austin, to serve on the ERCOT Board of Directors. Krummel and McAllister will join ERCOT effective today, September 3.

About Christopher A. Krummel
Christopher A. Krummel brings more than 30 years of financial executive experience in the energy and construction industries. Krummel currently serves as a founding partner of Krummel, Ellis & Weekley Advisory LLC (KEW), where he provides sell-side transaction advisory services to energy-focused clients. Prior to founding KEW, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of McDermott International Inc. and Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer of McDermott. Previously, Krummel served as Chief Financial Officer for EnTrans International and as Vice President of Finance, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer for Cameron International Corporation. Currently, Krummel serves on the board of directors for Centuri Holdings and privately held CRTS Global. He is active in the community, serving as a member of the board of directors of Rebuilding Together Houston.

Krummel received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from Creighton University and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

About Kathleen S. McAllister
Kathleen S. McAllister is a seasoned public company Board Director, Audit Committee Chair, and qualified financial expert with experience in corporate governance stemming from more than 15 years of service as a CEO, CFO, and Board Director. McAllister has held diverse leadership roles in global, capital-intensive companies in the energy value chain and currently serves as an independent director for Black Hills Corporation and Höegh LNG Partners LP. Prior to this, she served on the board of Silverbow Resources, The Metals Company, and Maersk Drilling, and held roles of President and CEO, CFO, and Board Director for Transocean Partners LLC.

McAllister received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Houston, is a Certified Public Accountant, and a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Board Leadership Fellow.

Fraud Alert from the Texas Comptroller

Earlier this month, the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts alerted the public to recent phishing attempts. Fraudsters are sending text messages that appear to come from the “Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Austin, Texas, Official State Government Agency.” These messages include a malicious link designed to steal personal and banking information, with the goal of tricking taxpayers into providing sensitive details such as credit card numbers.

Please remember: the Comptroller’s office will never request sensitive information via text message.

PBPA members are strongly advised to:

• Delete any suspicious text messages immediately.

• Do not reply, download attachments, or click on links in these messages.

• Verify questionable communications by contacting the Comptroller’s office directly through their official phone number or website.

Suspicious messages should be reported by emailing stop.spoofing@cpa.texas.gov.

Update from the Tax Front

We wanted to provide everyone with an update from our friends at the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association. New Severance Tax Guidance and Sales Tax Updates have been shared by the Texas Comptroller’s Office:

• Guidelines for Taxpayer-Generated Marketing Cost Samples
  New guidance is available on how taxpayers may use sampling of marketing cost transactions (Texas Tax Code §§ 201.1011 and 201.207(b)) to substantiate severance tax refund claims. The document covers eligible accounts, data integrity, required documentation, and auditor review.

• Local Sales Tax Rate Changes
  A full list of local sales tax rate changes effective October 1, 2025, is now available.

• 2026 Sales Tax Holidays
  • School Supplies: August 7–9, 2026
  • Emergency Preparation Supplies: April 25–27, 2026
  • ENERGY STAR® Products: May 23–25, 2026
  • Water-Efficient Products: May 23–25, 2026

For additional details, you may view the official memo released by the Comptroller's Office

EPA Proposed Amendments to GHGRP

On September 16, 2025, notice was published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that they are proposing to amend the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) to remove program obligations for most source categories, including the distribution segment of the petroleum and natural gas systems source category (subpart W—Petroleum and Natural Gas Systems), and suspend program obligations for the remaining subpart W segments until reporting year 2034.  Subpart W under the GHGRP is only suspended until 2034 because it is subject to the Waste Emissions Charge (WEC), which was put in place by legislation.  A public commenting period is now open on this proposal, but it will close on November 3, 2025.

PBPA is planning to provide comment on this proposed amendment and is looking for any and all PBPA members who would be interested in helping to develop those comments.  If you are interested, please let me know.

You can read a press release put out by EPA on this proposal here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-releases-proposal-end-burdensome-costly-greenhouse-gas-reporting-program-saving-24

BLM Proposing to Rescind the Conservation & Landscape Health Rule

As published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2025, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has proposed to rescind the Conservation and Landscape Health Rule originally issued on May 9, 2024.  BLM is soliciting comments on this proposal, which is due by November 10, 2025.

PBPA was opposed to the original Conservation & Landscape Health Rule for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the identification of “conservation” as a productive use for leases and permits.  We joined a number of other trade associations at that time in submitting joint comments on the previous proposal.  PBPA is planning to once again provide comment on this new proposal and is looking for any and all PBPA members who would be interested in helping to develop those comments.  If you are interested, please let me know.

BLM Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process

While a proposed rule isn’t expected to be published in the Federal Register until October, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced through inclusion in the agency’s rule making calendar the intent to propose a rule rescinding the Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule, previously issued in April of 2024.  As a reminder, the Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process rule (referenced as the 2024 Fiscal Rule by many):

• Implemented changes to federal leasing as required under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including higher oil and gas royalty rates, minimum lease bids, and annual lease rentals, and created fees for submitting expressions of interest to lease federal oil and gas rights.
• Raised the minimum bond amounts required for federal oil and gas lease operations
• Added more stringent requirements for decommissioning temporarily abandoned and shut-in wells; and
• Adopted criteria that would focus new oil and gas leasing in areas near existing oil and gas drilling and away from areas of important wildlife habitat and cultural resources.

Once a proposed rule is published, PBPA will determine if we recommend submitting comment.

2026 Membership Renewals

As we look ahead to 2026 membership renewals this fall, we want to thank you for the vital role you play in the PBPA. Your continued support strengthens our efforts to represent and protect the Permian Basin’s oil and gas industry, and we truly value your membership.

Making sure your information is current will help ensure a smooth renewal process so you and your team don’t miss a beat in the year ahead.

Ensure you are receiving all PBPA communications and magazines, and that the correct team members are listed on your account by updating your information in the online Member Center.  ✅

If you haven’t created your login for the Member Center, you can do so on this page. Need assistance logging in? Email Christine Dooley at christine@pbpa.info.

The PBPA thanks all who joined us for our 63rd Annual Meeting last week. It was an incredible gathering of industry leaders, policymakers, and members, with thoughtful discussions on the challenges and opportunities shaping the Permian Basin. We are especially grateful to our outstanding speakers who shared their expertise and perspectives, to our generous sponsors whose support made this event possible, and to the many volunteers who worked behind the scenes to ensure its success.

This meeting would not have been the same without the dedication and engagement of our members. We are proud to serve an association that continues to grow stronger through your commitment. Official photos from the event will be available soon, so be sure to check back and relive some of the best moments from this year’s meeting!

The Permian Basin Petroleum Association is proud to announce our 2025 Top Hand Award Winner. The PBPA Top Hand is the highest award bestowed by members of the PBPA, and one of the highest honors given to an energy professional in the Permian Basin. Being a Top Hand means you exemplify all the best qualities of professional and community service.

Travis D. Stice became Executive Chairman of Diamondback Energy’s Board of Directors in May 2025. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Director. He also led Viper Energy Partners, Inc. as CEO and Director, and served as CEO and Director of Rattler Midstream LP. Earlier in his career, he held positions with Apache Corporation, Laredo Petroleum, ConocoPhillips, Burlington Resources, and began as an Operations Engineer with Mobil Oil in 1985.

After 40 years in the industry, Mr. Stice is most proud of his last 15 years with Diamondback. Under his leadership, the company grew from producing 3,700 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2012 to over 900,000 today, making it the second largest operator in the Permian Basin. He credits this success to early adoption of horizontal drilling, strategic acquisitions, and a team rooted in values of integrity, leadership, excellence, people, and teamwork.

A graduate of Texas A&M University with a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering, he currently serves on Texas A&M’s Engineering Advisory Council and holds positions with several industry organizations, including the American Exploration and Production Council, American Petroleum Institute, Domestic Energy Producers Alliance, and Permian Strategic Partnership.

As a third-generation Midlander, Mr. Stice is recognized for his impact in the community. Under his leadership, Diamondback has supported numerous charitable organizations, advanced education and workforce initiatives, and helped expand healthcare access—including the donation of land for the Beacon Alliance behavioral hospital. Diamondback has also invested in local projects such as the Diamondback Energy Athletic Complex and the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Midland College.

Mr. Stice and his wife Brenda, dedicate their time to serving on many community boards and are joint board members of the Dynamic Catholic Institute.

We look forward to honoring Mr. Stice at the Permian Basin 2025 Top Hand Award Banquet on January 29, 2026, at the Petroleum Club of Midland. For information on this event, please contact Jamie Ramirez-Lujan at Jamie@pbpa.info or call (432) 684-6345.

NEW DETAILS for the rescheduled reception welcoming United States Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, to the Permian Basin are now available. 

RSVP as soon as possible to secure your spot! This will be a unique opportunity to hear from and visit with Secretary Burgum while networking with fellow PBPA members and community leaders. 

📅 NEW Date & Time:
Thursday, October 2nd | 11:45 AM - 1 PM

📍NEW Location:
Midland Country Club 

1 Wildcatter Way, Midland, TX 79705

Please RSVP to Jamie Ramirez-Lujan at jamie@pbpa.info or 432-684-6345 by September 30th. If you RSVP'd previously for the old date, please RSVP again. We look forward to seeing you there!

Committee Meetings

• Health, Safety & Environment Committee: 10/2/2025
• Regulatory Practices Committee: 10/21/2025

For more information on these or any of our other committees, please contact Stephen Robertson at stephen@pbpa.info or (432) 684-6345.

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

PBPA is proud to sponsor the upcoming Permian Power Conference, taking place September 29–30 at the Midland Horseshoe Arena. This inaugural event will bring together hundreds of industry leaders to discuss the once-in-a-generation electricity buildout driven by oilfield electrification, surging industrial baseload, and new AI data centers.

We are especially excited that PBPA’s Executive Vice President, Stephen Robertson, will be among the featured speakers, sharing insights on the critical role of power in supporting our industry.

➡️ As a benefit, PBPA members receive $100 off attendee registration by using the code PBPA at checkout!

Join PBPA and more than 75 sponsors and 55 speakers as we learn, share, and connect around this dynamic new business trend in the Basin!

PBPA is pleased to share an invitation from the Argentina–Texas Chamber of Commerce for a special seminar bringing together leaders from the energy sectors of Argentina and Texas.

This high-level event will feature three sessions:

• Permian Basin & Midland Ecosystem – Insights from the Permian Strategic Partnership, the Midland Chamber of Commerce, and other leading institutions.

• Opportunities in Vaca Muerta – Presentations from Argentine stakeholders on one of the world’s largest shale gas reserves, including investment opportunities, challenges, and demand for technologies and services.

• Challenges & Opportunities of Building & Crossing the Bridge – Highlighting successful collaboration between Argentina and Texas, with discussion on technology transfer, supply chain integration, and long-term partnerships.

The seminar will conclude with an exclusive cocktail reception, offering direct networking opportunities with decision-makers and industry leaders.

🎟️ PBPA Member Benefit: Use the discount code VIP-B-25 for complimentary access to this event.

For full details and registration, please visit the Argentina–Texas Chamber of Commerce website.

Permian Basin Petroleum Association | 601 North Marienfeld St., Suite 200, Midland, TX 79701