The Energy Workforce and Technology Council held its annual Business Optimization Conference last week in partnership with David de Roode, Lockton Partner & Executive Vice President with the Lockton Companies. Throughout the day, panels of industry leaders, legal and safety experts, and operations professionals explored strategies to reduce exposure, build resiliency, and optimize performance under pressure.
Energy Workforce Presidents Molly Determan and Tim Tarpley opened the event with a “State of the Energy Workforce” presentation, highlighting the Association’s accomplishments, goals, and overall dedication to the ever-evolving energy sector.
Incident Response & Privilege Protection Panel
The first panel discussed the importance of establishing incident response protocols as a proactive legal defense strategy, particularly in light of the current legal environment and lessons learned from those less prepared. David de Roode invited insights from panelists Justin Whitley, General Counsel of Ranger Energy Services, Kevin McDonald, Partner at Werner Ayers & McDonald, and Ken Bullock, Partner at Frost Brown Todd.
Whitley shared a best practice where employees have a ready-to-go template on their desktop, should they need to contact him about an incident. “Readiness should be an ongoing practice, supported by training, communication protocols, and tools (like templates) that help ensure quick, consistent, and culturally embedded responses,” he said.
Workforce Competency and Efficiency in a Tight Market
Jason Hitchcock, VP of Corporate Operations, Nine Energy Service and Jim Kulis, VP of QHSE, Ranger Energy Services, joined moderator David de Roode in the next panel featuring a robust conversation around doing less with more and thus staffing in a low commodity price environment, customer consolidation and the advancement of the use of AI.
The panelists spent time discussing how encouraging frontline leaders to feel invested in the company’s mission reinforces the “why” behind safety and performance standards. “Recognizing these different settings reinforces safe practices and positive habits,” said Hitchcock as he discussed a “stop work” incentive program at Nine Energy Services that celebrates workers who champion safety.
Natural Gas – Not all Gas is Created Equal
A natural gas panel addressed the increased use of natural gas for providing primary and back-up power for oilfield and non-oilfield operations, and the importance of such things as equipment resiliency, gas composition, and leak detection. David de Roode led the discussion with panelists Jamie Stewart, President of Enquest Energy Solutions; Travis Simmering, President of PROPWR; and EWTC Advisory Board Member Ryan Ezell, PhD, CEO of Flotek.
“The industry has moved away from diesel toward natural gas solutions, with electrification becoming essential to fully leverage natural gas and support growing power demands,” said Simmering.
Operating in High-Pressure (psi) Environments
Best practices related to working in known and unknown high-pressure environments were the focus of the Operating in High Pressure (psi) Environments panel. Ed Newman, SVP, Strategic Risk Control, Lockton, moderated the panel of industry experts: Tony Lewis, Global Wellwork Advisor, ExxonMobil; Steve Vorenkamp, President, Vorenkamp Well Control; EWTC Advisory Board Member Matt Hooker, COO, Ranger Energy Services.
Hooker and Vorenkamp both praised the working groups and efforts by EWTC in creating SecureWell, a first-of-its-kind course on well control that contains purpose-driven, comprehensive and practical training for cased hole well operations.
Beyond just Compliance: DOT, OSHA & PHMSA Opportunities and Risks
Ed Newman moderated the next panel, which emphasized the importance of going beyond the minimum requirements set by DOT, OSHA, and PHMSA. Panelists included JP Srock, VP of Safety & Risk Management, Atlas Energy Solutions; Jim Kulis, VP of QHSE, Ranger Energy Services; and Kevin McDonald, Partner, Werner Ayers & McDonald.
The panelists discussed how the use of technologies such as translation, video training, and AI tools is enhancing training, improving safety protocols, and supporting continuous improvement. “We have to meet employees where they are at and ensure we equip them with training and resources that ensure they go home at the end of every day,” one panelist said.
Business Resiliency in Global & Volatile Markets
In the final session, panelists John Ivascu, General Counsel, Forum Energy Technologies and Jordan Strouse, General Counsel, Volta Grid, joined moderator Victoria Beard, Managing Director, Piper Sandler, to examine the timely issue of managing tariff volatility and ongoing trade negotiations.
When entering into new international markets, the panelists advised companies to be keenly aware of compliance, employment laws, visiting often, and to be patient. As businesses enter new markets or find themselves in a position for an acquisition, getting the right leaders in place early can make all the difference.
EWTC Wireline Committee Chair Emeritus Lucas Gjovig, CEO, GO Wireline, presented Safety Awards during the luncheon, recognizing and honoring companies and individuals with outstanding safety records while also showcasing practical approaches to human performance, innovations in safety, and lessons learned from unexpected challenges. EWTC congratulates award winners: Baker Hughes, E3 Company, Encino Environmental Services, Ensign United States Drilling Inc., Evolution Well Services, H&P Drilling, Lucky Health & Safety, Lucky Rental Tool, Mattr, Milestone Environmental Services, Moncla Workover & Drilling, NexTier, Oil States International, ProFrac Services, SLB and TRM.
Energy Workforce would like to thank this year’s Business Optimization Conference sponsors: Lockton Companies, Allison Transmission, Ranger Energy Services, Equipt and its strategic partners Chevron and SLB.
Maria Suarez-Simmons, VP Energy Policy, writes about industry-specific policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
