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Energy industry workforce consists of a wide range of people

The Texas Energy Council helped host the Permian Energy Symposium. Discussions ranged from energy innovation to partnerships, with future workers as key as energy.

MIDLAND, Texas — Energy plays a massive role in the lives of many here in the Permian Basin.

On Wednesday, the Texas Energy Council along with the National Association of Royalty Owners hosted the Permian Energy Symposium to discuss a number of topics related to the industry. 

Conversations covered everything from energy innovation to even partnerships. As energy production continues to be a necessity in fueling our world, there are many people involved to keep it going. 

Energy is everywhere.

“It’s in everything from our clothing to medical supplies," said Buffie Campbell, President of the Texas Energy Council

Ubiquitous and useful. 

“I think that’s really important that people really understand how much we use this as a resource," Campbell said. 

As president of the Texas Energy Council, she knows the ins and outs of the industry. 

“Energy is not free," Campbell said. "It comes from somewhere, it takes somebody out in the field, it takes somebody preparing a lease, it takes mineral owners understanding what’s on those leases and working together. I mean, it takes hundreds and thousands of people within the industry to actually produce whatever it is – whether it be wind or solar or oil and gas – it takes quite a bit of manpower and land and water. So, understanding all the aspects of that – the good and the bad – is really important.” 

The National Association of Royalty Owners advocates for mineral owners – essential landowners for energy production. 

“It’s a very important synergy there…as landowners – mineral owners – they own the minerals that are under the ground," said David Smith, President of the National Association of Royalty Owners Board. "The oil companies need to lease those minerals to produce, so it’s a partnership.” 

The energy industry also has innovation, with the Permian Basin in the spotlight. 

“I think for the Permian Basin, what’s important to understand, is that it’s all about the energy mix, right?," said Lorena Moscardelli, Bureau of Economic Geology at the University of Texas. "Oil and gas is going to be in the picture for a long time, but there are also many opportunities that are arising, and the Permian Basin is well positioned to take advantage of those. Hydrogen is one of those. Hydrogen is an energy carrier that can help us balance the energy mix a little bit better.” 

With so many people invested in the industry in different ways, future workers are as key as energy. 

“In general, the energy business needs [a] robust workforce that understands the different elements of the value chain," Moscardelli said. "So, workforce development is very important in different fields.” 

Moscardelli mentioned that with the technology development and improvement we’re seeing, more engineers and geoscientists will be needed moving forward in the energy industry. Campbell added that it is amazing how much innovation there is right now in the industry, which creates a lot of aspects for education and careers for students coming up. 

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