Mark Smith

Arizona Public Service Co. and Salt River Project will buy capacity on Transwestern Pipeline’s just-announced Desert Southwest expansion project, which aims to deliver natural gas from the Permian Basin in Texas to Arizona. #Utilities #PipelineProject #Projects

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Sempra Infrastructure, a unit of Sempra, has received non-FTA approval from the US Department of Energy for the second phase of its Port Arthur LNG export project in Texas. #lng #lngprime https://lnkd.in/dPYSRX2j

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1,800 new upstream oil and gas jobs added in Texas in March alone. Nearly 200,000 people employed across the industry. That is not a struggling sector... that is a resilient one. At Wallstreet Sand Co., we feel this momentum firsthand. As one of the fastest growing frac sand operations in the Permian Basin, we are actively hiring, actively scaling, and actively investing in the West Texas workforce that keeps this industry moving. The energy sector is not slowing down. And neither are we. #WallstreetSandCo #PermianBasin #FracSand #OilAndGas #TexasEnergy #EnergyJobs #WorkforceGrowth #PermianStrong #KermitTexas

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𝗧𝗵𝗲 5 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗡𝗼𝘄 The competition for engineering talent in Texas has reached a level many companies were not prepared for. As semiconductor manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, and data center expansion continue accelerating, several technical positions have become extremely difficult to fill. The challenge is no longer just finding candidates. It is convincing top talent to leave stable opportunities in one of the most competitive hiring markets Texas has seen in years. The five hardest engineering roles to fill right now are: • 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 & 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 • 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 ���𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 • 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 • 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Why are these positions so difficult to hire for? Several factors are driving the 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲: • Massive infrastructure 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 across Texas • Increased 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 from semiconductor and data center projects • 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 compensation expectations • 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 experienced talent entering the market • Companies 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 too slowly during interviews One trend I continue seeing is candidates prioritizing more than compensation alone. Today’s engineering professionals are paying close attention to: • Long term project stability • Leadership quality • Career advancement opportunities • Work life balance • Company reputation and culture The organizations consistently securing top engineering talent are acting decisively and adapting to the market faster than competitors. The companies struggling most are often using outdated hiring processes that no longer align with candidate expectations. In today’s market, the best engineering talent rarely stays available for long. 𝗗𝗠'𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲.

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Oklahoma’s future workforce depends on CareerTech. Continued investment means more training access, stronger career pathways, and a workforce ready to meet industry needs today and tomorrow. CareerTech keeps opportunity moving forward. #CTEMonth #EarnYourFuture

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Houston, we have a new #IPO Houston-based geothermal unicorn Fervo Energy plans to offer over 55.55 million shares for between $21 and $24 each in its IPO. Fervo also expects to grant the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 8.33 million shares. Fervo publicly announced on April 17 that it had filed a registration statement for the IPO, after rumors had swirled for over a year. Fervo Energy

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Drill-up is the final test for any frac plug, if it breaks apart too fast or loses its grip, cleanup gets harder. Our Plug Selection Guide helps you understand how design choices affect cuttings size, anchor stability, and clean-out risk.  📥 Download it to choose plugs that drill up clean: https://lnkd.in/gSKX6vXT #WellBoss #FracPlugs #CompletionTech #PlugSelectionGuide #OilAndGasInnovation

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PICKTON GAS STORAGE LLC is a Texas-based natural gas storage company developing and operating the Pickton underground gas storage asset in East Texas, primarily in Hopkins, Delta, and Lamar counties. The company focuses on converting and operating a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir as a high-deliverability natural gas storage facility serving Texas and regional gas markets. https://lnkd.in/gTHjUCXK

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A captivating, very passionate, and informed discussion by Murray. He points out that post Prime Minister Carney’s Davos speech, Canada needs to dispel its “middle power” label and leverage its multi-$trillion economy. Also discussed the potential, strategic decoupling from U.S. economic dominance. Murray also highlights the need for strengthening national unity regarding energy and the Federal Government should listen to, and address the valid concerns raised by separatist movements in Alberta, etc and not wait for a referendum to act. Definitely recommend you listen to this Brian Crombie Radio Hour episode 1563 (https://lnkd.in/gjgSuMkz).

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ERCOT Releases Preliminary Long-Term Load Forecast for Years 2026–2032 In compliance with new PUCT requirements established by the Texas Legislature, ERCOT today filed a preliminary Long-Term Load Forecast for the years 2026–2032. The current forecast projects 367,790 MW of demand in the ERCOT Region by 2032. For context, ERCOT's all-time peak demand is 85,508 MW, recorded on August 10, 2023. The difference between near-term expectations and the 2032 figure reflects Texas' continued strong economic growth, with new load being added to the ERCOT System faster and in greater amounts than ever before.

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HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 30, 2024-- Enterprise Products Partners L.P. (NYSE: EPD) today announced that it is moving forward with a key expansion project along the Houston Ship Channel in response to continued strong customer demand for natural gas liquids export capacity. At the Enterprise Hydrocarbons Terminal (“EHT”), the company is adding refrigeration capacity that will increase propane and butane export capabilities by approximately 300,000 barrels per day (“BPD”). In addition to providing incremental capacity for liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”), the expansion will increase instantaneous loading rates for propane and butane, while making additional capacity available for propylene exports. The expanded service is expected to begin by the end of 2026. https://lnkd.in/gXb2YQh2.

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Discover 3 trends transforming the oil & gas workforce in 2026 with AI, remote ops, and inspections track software insights.

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Nuclear News: POWER Magazine just published an exclusive on something that deserves more attention in the talent and workforce conversation: Texas has opened $350M in advanced nuclear grants through the Texas Advanced Nuclear Development Fund — and the fine print is a roadmap for where the real bottleneck is. ERCOT is projecting peak demand to climb from 87 GW to 145 GW by 2031. A 67% increase in six years, driven primarily by data centers. Firm, dispatchable generation is the only credible answer. Nuclear is where the market is converging. But here's what the capital deployment conversation keeps glossing over: you can't build reactors without the people to build them. Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office Director Jarred Shaffer said it directly in the piece — the grant evaluation criteria explicitly weights workforce development plans, apprenticeship pathways, and community college partnerships. Projects are being scored on their commitment to Texas workers, not just their construction timelines. That's a forcing function, not a footnote. The state is also trying to reorient existing manufacturers toward the nuclear supply chain — HV components, specialized fabrication, quality assurance systems. Developers like X-energy, Fermi America, Aalo Atomics, and Last Energy are all active in Texas right now. The capital is mobilizing. What isn't keeping pace: the people. At root/edge, we recruit senior technical and commercial leadership at the intersection of energy transition, grid infrastructure, and advanced power. The nuclear buildout is going to need a talent strategy before it needs a construction schedule. Article Link in the comments ⬇️

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A new player has entered the game 🎮 APR Energy has secured approval to develop an 800-acre, 400MW data center campus in Pampa, TX marking its first project as a primary developer in the sector. ➡️ Powered by modular natural gas turbines (scalable up to 2GW) ➡️ With access to fiber, natural gas, and water, Pampa is positioned to become a a key tech hub. ➡️ Set to break ground in 2026. https://lnkd.in/eNpC7iKT #datacenterconstruction #datacenters #hyperscale

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At Brazos Midstream, we’ve significantly expanded our footprint in the Midland Basin, commissioning the 300 MMcf/d Sundance II plant and launching construction of the 300 MMcf/d Cassidy I facility. By year-end 2026, we will own and operate 800 MMcf/d of processing capacity and approximately 525 miles of natural gas gathering pipeline in the core of the basin. https://lnkd.in/g7M__h4h

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Competitive Power Ventures has officially broken ground on the CPV Basin Ranch Energy Center, a 1,350MW combined-cycle natural gas plant in Ward County, right in the heart of the Permian Basin. A few headlines worth noting: • $2bn investment into West Texas • 850,000 homes powered once operational • $400m+ in local tax revenue expected over the plant’s life • GE Vernova turbines + Gemma Power Systems leading EPC • Fully designed and permitted for future carbon capture CPV’s CEO Sherman Knight summed it up perfectly: These are the days that excite our team, seeing a project enter into construction after years of development. We are committed to bringing responsible energy to regions where power generation is needed. Commercial operations are slated for 2029, adding another major piece to Texas’ evolving power mix as demand continues to surge from industry, population growth, and digital infrastructure. Link below ⬇️

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"Occidental Petroleum, 1PointFive STRATOS DAC plant nears startup in Texas Permian basin The STRATOS project in Ector County is in the final stages of startup, with Phase 2 commissioning beginning soon. Once fully operational, STRATOS is designed to capture up to 500,000 tonnes/year (tpy) of CO2. As part of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Class VI permitting process and approval, it was reported that STRATOS is expected to include three wells to store about 722,000 tpy of CO2 in saline formations at a depth of about 4,400 ft." https://lnkd.in/gRq5asdh

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