The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) recently hosted the 2024 Permian Basin Water In Energy Conference (PBWIEC) to discuss innovative strategies for water use, recovery, and recycling in oil production.
A reported 531 registered attendees, including industry stakeholders and academic professionals, 60 speakers and 40 sponsoring companies attended the conference. Speakers included State Rep.Brooks Landgraf and Dr. John Moon, Managing Director of Morgan Stanley Energy Partners. The conference also awarded $15,000 in scholarships to students.
“This conference was an exciting opportunity to bring together industry leaders, regulators, and investors to foster collaborative discussions and inspire one another to innovate,” board member of PBWIEC Jared Blong told Midland Times. “This collective effort drives us towards economic viability and the ultimate beneficial reuse of resources in various ways.”
According to Blong, PBWIEC has a distinctive nature. "I don’t know if there is a conference quite like this one," he said.
Blong highlighted the aspect that drew him to join the board, emphasizing the uniqueness of the event, particularly due to its hosting by UTPB and its collaboration with industry partners. He noted that the conference stands out from others, as it's not merely a gathering but an initiative led by an "esteemed academic institution" aimed at fostering "meaningful engagement." This approach, Blong noted, is uncommon and makes the conference a platform for dialogue and collaboration in the energy sector.
Blong said the conference was hosted in Midland for a particular reason, given the region's role in oil and gas production. “The wildcatter spirit just does something out here that is not common elsewhere,” Blong said. He described Midland as “the heart of the oil business of the entire United States.”