Vol. 6, Issue No. 10

Members,

We hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving last week and enjoyed time with loved ones. In this version of The Standard, we provide several pertinent updates from New Mexico, Texas, and the Federal level. 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 find an update on Rule 8/Chapter 4 out of Texas and a meeting scheduled in Midland with the Public Utility Commission. We have also included news regarding the New Mexico Oil & Gas Act and other important information. As always, we also provide details on upcoming PBPA events and other relevant community activities:

Important Updates

• RECAP: PBPA at IPAA Annual Meeting
• Proposed Revisions to the New Mexico Oil and Gas Act
• Rule 8/ Chapter 4 Update
• Public Utility Commission Midland Meeting
• Membership News
• 2024 Top Hand Award Banquet
• Save the Dates for 2024
• Committee Meetings

Community Events

• Midland College PPDC Training Courses
• TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair & Conference
• Additional events can be found on the calendar in the Member-Only Center!

Regards,

Ben Shepperd

PBPA President

RECAP: PBPA at IPAA Annual Meeting

PBPA often works closely with state, regional, and national trade associations to increase the impact of our advocacy efforts. One of the associations with whom PBPA has worked closely over the years is the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA). 

Our Executive Vice President, Stephen Robertson, had the opportunity to speak at the IPAA Annual Meeting this month, sharing his perspective on the political landscape in Texas and New Mexico. Stephen also engaged in the State and Regional Associations’ Meeting hosted by IPAA at its Annual Meeting during which associations from around the country discussed threats to the industry and compared advocacy efforts on how to counter those threats.

We are thankful for IPAA’s support of operations in the Permian Basin and for including us as part of the Annual Meeting!

New Mexico Updates

Proposed Revisions to the New Mexico Oil and Gas Act

PBPA continues to engage with the New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (OCD) as it explores revisions to the state’s Oil & Gas Act. As the conversation with OCD continues, the separation between where eNGOs want the OCD to go with this effort and what would be beneficial changes for the residents of New Mexico continues to grow. Setbacks, Financial Assurances, and Civil Penalties continue to be discussed with possible language for any proposed legislation changing, sometimes drastically, between meetings. The impact of these efforts of now former OCD Director Dylan Fuge being appointed to the position of Deputy Cabinet Secretary of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department, is yet to be determined.

PBPA will continue to engage in these meetings as well as coordinate with NMOGA and IPANM on their efforts regarding the same. If you are interested in engaging on this issue, please contact Stephen (stephen@pbpa.info).

Texas Updates

Texas Legislative

The Texas Legislature is currently in session. For those keeping track, this is the Fourth Called Session of the 88th Legislature. The agenda from Governor Abbott for this special session included school safety funding and measures, the creation of education savings grants, and specific law enforcement and border security funding and initiatives.

As of now, Senate Bill 4 has been sent to the Governor for his signature, veto, or his filing without a signature. SB4 relates to prohibitions on the illegal entry into or illegal presence in this state by a person who is an alien, the enforcement of those prohibitions and certain related orders, including immunity from liability and indemnification for enforcement actions, and authorizing or requiring under certain circumstances the removal of persons who violate those prohibitions; creating criminal offenses.

As a reminder, a bill does not need the signature of the Governor to become law. They must affirmatively veto the bill to prevent it from being enacted.

The House and Senate remain in negotiations with the Senate until Thursday at 11:00 am and the House at ease until Friday at 1:00 pm.

Texas Regulatory

Rule 8/ Chapter 4: PBPA continues to work through other issues important to our members including electricity and transmission issues as well as the proposal by the Railroad Commission of Texas to amend the current Rule 8, relating to authorized pits, and the creation of the new Chapter 4 which will govern authorized and permitted facilities.

The Railroad Commission of Texas initiated an informal comment period, and with feedback from members, PBPA submitted public comments on November 3rd. Shortly before the deadline for written comments, PBPA also participated in the in-person and virtual public comment sessions.

At that time, we were notified that the Commission would take this feedback, make edits, work with the Commissioners, and determine a path forward. This included a formal publication during an RRC Conference, which would trigger a new public comment period after it is posted in the Texas Register. As of now, we await feedback from the Commission about how to proceed and will keep you apprised of those developments. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Lozano at michael@pbpa.info.

PUC Visit to Midland: PBPA has secured a location for the Public Utilities Commission of Texas to visit Midland on December 12, 2023. They will visit with our members about the implementation of House Bill 5066, which among other provisions, includes the development of a transmission plan by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT).

This public meeting will take place in the Henry Auditorium at The University of Texas Permian Basin’s Center for Energy and Economic Diversification. It is our goal and hope that this plan will help address the needs of our members and help provide greater reliability and planning through the process. The posting for this meeting can be viewed here and it is vital that members be engaged and participate in this effort.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Michael Lozano at michael@pbpa.info as soon as possible.

Membership News

Q3 Committee Reports

Reports on the activities of the PBPA's working committees have been added to the Member-Only Center on the website.

If you are a Gusher-level member or higher, you may access these reports for an overview of the important work that has been accomplished by PBPA in the third quarter of 2023. Individual members may reach out to PBPA staff to access the reports

PBPA Events

Join us on January 18th for an evening honoring our esteemed 2023 Top Hand, C. Richard "Dick" Sivalls of Sivalls, Inc.

Ballroom seating often sells out quickly, so reserve your table before space runs out.

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

Save the Dates for 2024!

Our 2024 event dates have been scheduled. Save these to your calendar so you are available to attend!*

• March Membership Luncheon: March 21st
• Spring Swing Golf Tournament: April 8th
• Permian Basin Environmental Regulatory Seminar: May 9th
• Clay Shoot & Pit King Challenge: June 7th
• Annual Meeting: October 10th

*Dates are subject to change.

Committee Meetings

• Species, Habitat Operations Committee: 11/29
• Health, Safety, & Environment Committee: 12/6
• Oilfield Theft Working Group: 12/12
• Regulatory Practices Committee: 12/19

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

Community Events

PPDC Programs

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

Environmental Trade Fair & Conference



May 14-15, 2024

Austin, TX

TCEQ has opened registration for their annual Trade Fair! Showcase your expertise, goods, or services on the vast exhibit hall floor or attend as an individual.

TCEQ experts will host 100+ courses focusing on topics such as Waste, Water, Air Permitting, Environmental Regulations, Lab Practices, Toxicology and much more.