The State Department Houston Energy Course, hosted by the Energy Workforce & Technology Council, kicked off last week, bringing together twenty-eight U.S. foreign and civil service officers from 18 countries. This hands-on program in Houston offered an in-depth look into the oil and gas industry, covering every sector and stage of the value chain.
Participants benefited from a series of presentations by industry leaders and subject matter experts. Among the notable contributors were representatives from the Baker Institute at Rice University, Baker Hughes, bp, Caterpillar Oil & Gas, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, GaffneyCline, Halliburton, Kodiak Gas Services, NOV, SLB, TechnipFMC, and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources.
Interactive Q&A sessions provided attendees with the chance to engage directly with company representatives, exploring key issues like energy security, technological advancements, exploration strategies, business development, and the technical intricacies of drilling and well construction. Discussions also covered onshore and offshore challenges, midstream and refining concerns, and the latest emerging technologies. Participants also had the opportunity to tour a land rig at Helmerich & Payne as well as technology and manufacturing facilities at Baker Hughes CTI, HMH, TechnipFMC, Petra Nova and Rice University.
Since its inception in 1993, the Houston Energy Course has been instrumental in fostering collaboration between the energy sector and government officials, training over 1,000 government representatives over the past 31 years. The ongoing partnership between Energy Workforce and the State Department is crucial in equipping U.S. government officials with the knowledge needed to effectively represent the nation abroad.
The program’s curriculum, crafted by the International Programs Committee alongside E&P partners, academic institutions, and Energy Workforce members, encourages a robust exchange of expertise. The next session is slated for February 2025, continuing the tradition of fostering strong ties between industry and government.
For additional information or to become part of the International Programs Committee, interested individuals can reach out to Deidre Kohlrus, Energy Workforce VP of Government Affairs.
Deidre Almstead Kohlrus, Senior Director Government Affairs, 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.
