Energy Service companies will have competing pressure in the coming year. Customer expectations are changing alongside the technology, equipment and workforce needed to execute the work. That was the broader picture that emerged from Energy Workforce’s State of Energy Services Conference in Midland, where discussions ranged from the economic outlook heading into 2027 to the operational standards companies are developing around the next generation of field work.
The morning session laid out the changes and what it would mean for the business. Ryan Tull of Piper Sandler opened with a look at inflation, interest rates and the market forces shaping North American oilfield services heading into 2027. Well Servicing 2.0 examined an aging fleet and how 24-hour operations, electrification, automation and artificial intelligence could change the economics and efficiency of the segment. During the well stimulation panel, panelists discussed evolving customer needs and the significant investment underway in natural gas and electric fleets, along with the power infrastructure needed to support increasingly demanding completion designs. The wireline discussion focused on current activity and the importance of execution, safety and reliability in meeting operator expectations. Manufacturing closed out the morning with a look at changing equipment demand, technology adoption and what areas manufacturers see opportunities for growth.
The afternoon shifted from market and operational trends to the training, competency and the standards needed to support them. SecureWell focused on creating more consistent training and competency expectations across well servicing, while the Certified Rig Operator discussion examined efforts to establish a common foundation for rig operator competency. During that panel, an ExxonMobil representative said of the certification, “We are going to require it,” providing a clear example of how industry-developed programs can become customer expectations. The wireline session on API RP 67 addressed consistent training requirements and demonstrated competency, while the plug and abandonment panel looked at how the sector is preparing its workforce for growing P&A activity and the technical demands that come with it. The final discussion focused on gas handling and the need for greater consistency in training and safe operating practices as natural gas-powered equipment becomes more common on the wellsite.
Taken together, the discussions gave members a view of both sides of the equation. Companies are making decisions about equipment, technology and capital while also determining how to prepare the workforce that will operate it. Hearing directly from operators, service companies and technical experts gives members an earlier read on where those expectations are moving, while Energy Workforce’s programs give them a role in developing the standards and training that follow. Understanding those signals early can be just as important as understanding where activity is headed.
The conference also included the 2026 Safety Awards Luncheon, where EWTC Immediate Past Chair Sam Sledge, CEO & Director of ProPetro Services, recognized member companies for their commitment to safety and continuous improvement. Gold Awards were presented to Moncla Workover & Drilling, ProFrac Services, Liberty Energy and SLB, while Ensign Energy Services, Evolution Well Services, NexTier Completion Solutions and Baker Hughes received Silver Awards, and Key Energy Services and Oil States received Bronze Awards. Ranger Energy Services, E3 Company, Key Energy Services and Oil States International were also recognized with Video Awards, and Ensign Well Services received the President’s Award. EWTC thanks all of the member companies that participated in this year’s Safety Awards and continue to make safety a priority across their operations.
Energy Workforce thanks Diamondback Energy, title and breakfast sponsor; SLB, luncheon sponsor; Vorenkamp Well Control Training, coffee sponsor; and ProFrac, Ranger Energy Services, Key Energy Services and Liberty, Safety Awards sponsors, for their support of the conference. We also thank World Oil, Endeavor Business Media and Hart Energy for their support as media partners for the State of Energy Services Conference.
Jeff Emerick, Director of Government Affairs, writes about the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
