In 1956, Hollywood released the classic film “Giant.” It was an adaptation of a novel by Edna Ferber, telling the story of “big oil” in Texas. It was loosely based on Ferber’s impressions of the iconic King Ranch (a ranch in Texas that is larger than the entire state...
When it comes to energy issues, New York long ago plunged over the cliff. Now, it has attached booster jets to its heels to accelerate toward the bottom. Worse, one fears Governor Cuomo knows exactly what he’s doing — simply depending on others and time to rescue him. New York...
This past February, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s office released an updated version of her Green New Deal bill. The 14-page document presents forecasts of the potential impact of climate change outlined in terms of mass migration, $500 billion in annual lost economic output by 2100, increased wildfire activity, loss of coral...
PESA’s Emerging Executives Committee prepares high-performing individuals for their role as the next generation of industry leaders. The Committee develops and carries out their own agenda of events and training seminars, including Leadership Forums, an Executive Leadership Year-Long Program, and the Executive Address Series. PESA recently sat down with...
I woke up on July 5 to the realization that the day represented my 40th anniversary in the oil business. On July 5, 1979, I went to work as an accountant for Coastal States Oil & Gas Company after a post-graduation job search that left me with a choice...
The Texas oil and gas boom kicked off in 1901 following the discovery of the Spindletop field near Beaumont, Texas. Referred to as the “Lucas Gusher,” it presaged the rapid expansion of a young industry that has shaped the state’s economy for more than a century, with the ups...
West Texas has a permanent power problem. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Permian Basin, which produces almost 4 million barrels of oil a day, expanded so quickly that the electricity suppliers who are needed to keep wells running are struggling to keep up. In the article, an oilfield...
I’m often invited to speak at various conferences and contribute to publications on the topic of gender diversity and inclusion in the oil and gas industry. It’s a huge honor to be asked to share my opinion on this critical issue, and I always want to make valuable contributions...
One of the benefits of being in charge of the Energy Law program at the law school at Texas Tech is being able to invite energy superstars to speak in our Energy Law Lecture Series. I recently hosted noted author and lecturer Robert Bryce, who is one of the...
I became a fan of shale when I leased my property in rural Pennsylvania to a gas drilling company over a decade ago. I became an advocate when I saw how much shale was doing for counties unlike my own where the Delaware River Basin Commission has yet to...
