Speakers and Virtual Exhibits Showcased Texas Oil & Natural Gas Technology, Innovation and Economic Impact

March 24, 2021

AUSTIN – More than one thousand Texans and 50 companies, associations and chambers of commerce convened virtually today for Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol 2021. Participants in the third biennial event heard from state leaders and energy experts and engaged with their lawmakers to share their stories about the importance of the oil and natural gas industry for their families, their communities and the state.

In his remarks to kick off Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol, Texas Speaker of the House Dade Phelan remarked on the role of the industry in the state economy as well as his home district in Southeast Texas. “The Texas oil and natural gas industry is vital to the Texas economy and budget, providing billions of dollars in tax revenue for education, infrastructure and our Rainy Day Fund. In my district, there are many exciting energy expansion projects coming down the pike that I’m eager to see get moving because these investments, and the jobs they create, are the reason many of my constituents can feed their families and put clothes on their backs.”

In addressing the over one thousand attendees watching virtually, Governor Greg Abbott said, “The Texas economy has grown to become the 9th largest economy in the world and the oil and natural gas sector plays a tremendous role in that growth. I am honored to be part of today’s event to address the hard working men and women of this industry to let them know that their jobs make a difference and their work makes our state and nation more secure than ever before.”

Lt. Governor Patrick discussed the industry’s tremendous global impact, saying, “The Texas oil and natural gas industry is the key to our nation’s energy independence and economic strength. I’m honored to welcome these energy advocates today because their work is absolutely essential to Texas, America and the rest of the free world.”

Many of the industry’s latest innovations were on display in this year’s Virtual Energy Avenue, which included exhibits that featured industrial scale carbon capture technologies, innovations in advanced refining, water reuse and recycling solutions, the role of drones in the oil field, and more.

Commissioner Wayne Christian of the Railroad Commission of Texas noted the impact of energy sector innovation and the role of the free market in Texas’ economic recovery. “The challenges of this past year have proven, once again, that the private industry in a free market can always do a better job than government regulation. When we’ve faced crisis after crisis, the private energy industry has stepped up and over-delivered for the State of Texas,” he said.

Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol participants urged lawmakers to hold fast to the policies that allow the industry to support high-quality jobs and contribute billions of dollars in state and local tax revenue. Just last year, the Texas oil and natural gas industry paid $13.9 billion in state and local taxes and state royalties – amounting to $38 million a day to support schools and teachers, build roads and infrastructure, and fund first responders and other essential services.

Regarding the state budget, Senate Finance Committee Chair Jane Nelson said, “I know firsthand how crucial the oil and natural gas industry is to our state budget. Despite the challenges of the past year, the men and women of the oil and natural gas industry have persevered and the rest of Texas will benefit because of it. The strength of the Texas oil and natural gas industry ultimately ensures the strength of the Texas economy.”

Commissioner Emily Lindley of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality noted the industry’s role in enduring and then recovering from the recent winter storm. She remarked, “During the winter storm, we were facing challenges related to inoperable drinking water and wastewater systems. Every Texan should know the enormous role that natural gas played in getting us back up and running. Natural gas workers were frontline workers in the aftermath of the storm and their work was critical to a number of our water systems across the state.”

Virtual Energy Avenue Exhibits Included
Chevron: Improving Lives & Powering the World
Shell: Drone Hero
ConocoPhillips: Water Recycling in the Delaware Basin
OXY Low Carbon Ventures: A Low Carbon Future
Energy Transfer: Pipeline Construction
Port of Corpus Christi: Dredging the U.S.’s Deepest Ship Channel
Marathon Oil: Building a Digital Basin
Valero: How We Fuel the World
Cheniere: Energy Transformed
Liberty Oilfield Services: Tackling the Mis-Informed
Williams: Smart Choices Empower Tomorrow
ExxonMobil: Scrub & Remove: Carbon Capture
CITGO: Numbers that Fuel Good
Freeport LNG: What is LNG?
NuStar: Storage & Pipelines

Texas Energy Day @ The Capitol 2021 Partners
American Association of Professional Landmen, Association of Energy Service Companies, Energy Day (a project of Consumer Energy Alliance), Energy Workforce & Technology Council, Houston Association of Professional Landmen, Longview Chamber of Commerce, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce, Midland Chamber of Commerce, NAPE, Oilfield Energy Center, Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association, Permian Basin Petroleum Association, Permian Road Safety Coalition, San Angelo Chamber of Commerce, San Angelo Regional Manufacturing Alliance, San Antonio Pipeliners Association, South Texas Energy and Economic Roundtable, Texans for Natural Gas, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Texas Association of Business, Texas Association of Manufacturers, Texas Chemical Council, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, Texas Mutual, Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Pipeline Association, Texas Propane Gas Association, Texas Royalty Council, TexSar Search and Rescue, TXOGA Insurance Agency, Inc., West Texas Energy Consortium

Texas Energy Day @ The Capitol 2021 Sponsors
BP, Cheniere Energy, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Devon Energy, Diamondback Energy, Energy Transfer, Halliburton, Liberty Oilfield Services, Marathon Oil, Occidental Petroleum, Ovintiv, Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association, PDC Energy, Pioneer Natural Resources, Port Corpus Christi, Sempra LNG, San Antonio Pipeliners Association, Shell, Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Oil & Gas Association Insurance Agency, Texas Pipeline Association, Texas Propane Gas Association, Valero Energy, Williams

Energy Day™ – is a registered trademark of the Consumer Energy Alliance – http://www.energydayfestival.org. 

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Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest oil and gas trade association in Texas representing every facet of the industry.