TXOGA Talks Podcast: Episode 7: Upstream 101

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples and Shana Joyce, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs are joined by Diamondback Energy Senior Vice President of Completions Hunter Landers and Vice President of Production Nathan Luoma for an overview of the upstream process, also known as exploration and production, through which oil and natural gas is found and extracted from the ground. Also in this episode, this discussion highlights the use of fracking in oil and natural gas extraction, as well as the processes in place to ensure safety and groundwater protection.

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TXOGA: LNG Exports Have Had No Impact on Domestic Energy Costs, TXOGA Economic Analysis Finds

TXOGA: TXOGA Talks, Episode 3: The Four P’s

Diamondback Energy: Overview of Diamondback Operations

Texans for Natural Gas: Fracking 101

Texas Monthly: George Mitchell was a Texas A&M graduate who was known as the “pioneer of shale”. Mitchell is credited with pioneering the economic extraction of shale gas using the fracking technique.

Railroad Commission of Texas: Hydraulic fracturing has been an environmentally safe process for more than 60 years in Texas. The Railroad Commission has a comprehensive regulatory framework to ensure usable quality groundwater is protected. Commission records do not indicate a single documented groundwater contamination case associated with the process of hydraulic fracturing in Texas.

Railroad Commission of Texas: Information and Statistics on the Permian Basin

Energy Information Administration: Drilling Productivity Report: Petroleum & Other Liquids

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Related Updates

Check out our October Month in Review to see how TXOGA continued advocating for the Texas oil and natural gas industry.             RECOMMENDED READING Very deep oil and gas discoveries add impetus to industry Railroad Commissioner wants to fast-track produced water reuse FERC proposes faster LNG approvals, changes pipeline air

November 2, 2026

Texas’ oldest and largest oil and natural gas trade association hosted leaders shaping state, national, and global energy agendas, and recognized two industry titans with TXOGA’s Distinguished Service Award SAN ANTONIO, Texas – This week, on October 28 and 29, the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) hosted the Lone Star Energy Forum in San Antonio,

October 30, 2026

On this episode of TXOGA Talks, TXOGA President Todd Staples sits down with Vice Admiral (Ret.) Timothy James “TJ” White, Chief of the Texas Cyber Command, the state agency created in 2025 to help protect the systems Texans depend on from cyberthreats. Chief White explains how phishing and ransomware really work, what Project Watershed 250 means for small-town water systems, how the new Critical Infrastructure Cyber Center of Excellence connects energy and water operators with the state’s defenders, and what every Texan can do to stay safe online this Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

October 26, 2026

AUSTIN, Texas—According to newly released data from the Texas Workforce Commission for September 2026, upstream oil and natural gas employment decreased slightly in September compared with August 2026. Total upstream salaried employment was 196,400 jobs in September 2026, up 2,400 jobs from September 2025 but had a dip of about 500 jobs from August to

October 20, 2026

AUSTIN, Texas—Today, Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA) President Todd Staples, a member of the Texas Jobs Council, joined Governor Greg Abbott and fellow Texas Jobs Council members for a meeting in Austin focused on ongoing efforts to continue building up Texas’ workforce. “Governor Greg Abbott understands the best solution to poverty is a job.

October 1, 2026

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