The Texas Oil & Gas Association’s Lone Star energy forum and centennial celebration recently saluted a major milestone for the organization and the industry.
The all-day celebration took place all day long as Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott along with industry notables Susan Dio (BP America chairman and president), Steve Green (Chevron North America president), Don Baldridge (DCP Midstream president), Don Templin (Marathon Petroleum executive vice president and chief financial officer) and Paul Moya (Millennial Labs CEO).
Abbott said, according to TXOGA, which was founded in 1919, “The Lone Star State would not be in the position it is today without the tireless efforts of TXOGA and the oil and gas industry. This industry has fueled Texas’ economic growth and prosperity by expanding trade, creating more jobs, and fostering innovation. I congratulate TXOGA on its milestone of 100 years and look forward to building on our partnership to create an even brighter future for the Lone Star State.”
While the event recognized the strides the organization and industry has already taken, a panel also honed in on how it relates to the political outlook. Republican political strategist Jason Johnson and Democratic political analyst Harold Cook participated on the panel that was moderated by Karina Kling of Spectrum News Austin.
Former President George W. Bush also made an appearance for a fireside chat as well as the presentation of the 2019 Distinguished Service Award. It was presented to Darren Woods, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil, as well as Jeffrey Hildebrand, the founder and executive chairman of Hilcorp Energy Company.
“The Distinguished Service Award is one of the oldest and most prestigious honors bestowed on members of our industry,” said Trevor Rees-Jones, founder and chief executive officer of Chief Oil & Gas and chairman of the Distinguished Service Award committee, according to TXOGA. “Since 1936 the award has been chosen by industry leaders to recognize their colleagues for their extraordinary contributions to the oil and natural gas industry and to the nation. We are proud to add Darren Woods and Jeffery Hildebrand to those ranks.”
Also at the event came the announcement of renovations and expansions of the Texas oil and gas exhibit at the Bullock State History Museum.
TXOGA President Todd Staples added, according to TXOGA, “Innovation, perseverance and grit are the unmistakable hallmarks of being a Texan, and no one better personifies these timeless traits than the early oil wildcatters here in Texas who set out to change the world more than 100 years ago.
“Today their legacy lives on as the endeavors of a new generation of explorers in the Texas oil and natural gas industry have catapulted the United States to become the world’s undisputed energy leader. We can be proud that the technology and know-how that reshaped the world’s energy landscape started right here in Lone Star State.”
