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Carlsbad's Energy Summit to highlight Permian Basin's national importance

Carlsbad’s Energy Summit to highlight Permian Basin’s national importance

The 2022 Carlsbad Mayor’s Energy Summit, themed “The Permian Basin: The Heart of Domestic Production,” will bring together members of the community and the energy industry to discuss issues important to the region and nation on Thursday, Oct. 20.

The annual Energy Summit is a free event that will run from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Walter Gerrells Performing Arts Center in Carlsbad. To register, go here.

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said the goal of the summit is “to get a better understanding of where the industry is now and where it is headed over the next few years.” Industry leaders on tap to speak “will help us understand the unique role the Permian Basin plays at a national and international level,” the mayor said.

“Eddy and Lea County are national leaders when it comes to domestic drilling,” Janway states in a city statement. “It is certainly vital that any discussion about the future of our domestic drilling go through busy southeast New Mexico.”

Danny Fletcher will serve as emcee and master of ceremonies. Among the summit’s keynote speakers is Robert G. Schwiers Jr., the chief economist for Chevron’s Strategy & Sustainability Department, who will deliver a presentation entitled “The Future of the Delaware Basin: an Overview.

Click here for the Summit’s full agenda, which includes moderated panel discussions among a variety of industry experts, including one on the subject “The Permian as a Resource.” Other topics that will be covered include innovative approaches to a workforce shortage, a brief history of drilling in Southeast New Mexico and perspectives from midstreams in the Basin.

Participating experts include Doug Ackerman (President and CEO, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association); Sandi Guy (Partner, Human Capital; Carr, Riggs & Ingram); Hanson Yates (Managing Member and President, Santo Petroleum); Diaco Aviki (Chief Operating Officer, Crestwood Midstream Partners); Brian McGowen (Permian Development Manager, XTO Energy); John Raines (Vice President, Delaware Basin Unit, Devon Energy); and Aaron Hunter (VP Delaware Basin, ConocoPhillips).

Popular New Mexico weatherman Steve Stucker will be a special lunchtime guest. Janway says former Gov. Susana Martinez signaled an intention to attend as a guest. Again this year, “Spirit of the Oilfield” awards will be given to employees of the energy industry who go above and beyond the call of duty.

And to top it off, the “world-class steak lunches” that have been served annually by Lynne and Kim Ballard at the Summit are set to be served again this year.

“Our annual summit is not only informative, but we also want it to be a lot of fun,” Janway said. “We especially love bringing members of our community under one roof with executives from across the country.”