LAREDO – The Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) and the South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable (STEER) today hosted “South Texas Energy Impact: Laredo” at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), featuring panelists of industry experts, academics and community leaders discussing emerging trends, challenges and opportunities in the Texas energy sector.
“The Eagle Ford Shale is an economic engine for the South Texas region and plays an essential role in our state’s global energy dominance,” said TXOGA President Todd Staples. “We are thrilled to be joined today by industry experts, academics and thought leaders to discuss how the South Texas energy sector is securing our energy future both here at home and for our trade partners all over the world.”
In his opening remarks, Staples described the economic impact of the industry on the South Texas economy, noting specifically that Webb County ranked #1 in the Eagle Ford with $33.3 million paid in oil and natural gas property taxes last year – nearly double its total from fiscal year 2022, according to TXOGA’s latest Annual Energy & Economic Impact Report.
“This type of unmatched economic performance does not happen by accident,” said Staples. “Success in the Eagle Ford and beyond is the result of non-stop industry innovation, investment and operational efficiencies that shattered a string of oil and natural gas records last year – all while achieving world-leading environmental progress.”
Today’s panelists included Dr. Daniel Covarrubias, Director of TAMIU A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development; Dr. Saeed Salehi, Endowed Professor, TAMIU School of Petroleum Engineering; Adrian Zapata, Chairman of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce; Mike Howard, Chairman and CEO of Howard Energy; Michael Hart, CEO of Rio Grande Exploration and Production; and Cliffe Killam, President and CEO of Killam Oil Company.
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Founded in 1919, TXOGA is the oldest and largest trade association in the state representing every facet of the Texas oil and gas industry.