JULY 2017 Volume 60 No. 7 THE ISSUE Under the New Technology theme of the July issue are special reports about horizontal wellbore Horizontal Well construction, giant strides in seismic and geophysical Strategies technology, and pad drilling efficiencies in the Rockies. The Horizontal and Wellbore Construction reports reveal key insights that big data analytics are giving independent operators to maximize every dollar invested in resource plays. Also with an eye toward smarter investments, the Industry in Motion reports open with a look at how operators are using financial resources to fuel their growth strategies. The Seismic & Geophysics reports consider how machine learning and multiattribute analysis can get much more out of seismic datasets. Elsewhere in the issue, the Rockies Activity Profile examines some of the country's most exciting plays and dovetails with the Official Convention Sections, which include the Western Energy Alliance, IPANM and TIPRO. July convention coverage features the CIPA and OIPA annual meetings. Cover photo by Jim Blecha. Issue artwork by Amanda DeMoss and courtesy of Geophysical Insights. Te Se ch ism ic Pa no lo ge 70 gy JULY 2017 The "Better Business" Publication Serving the Exploration / Drilling / Production Industry Page 54 Daryll Howard Chairman Western Alliance "We cannot stop working to reduce the costly and redundant processes that hinder development on public lands." Page 93 Tom Mullins President IPANM "House members faced a tough fight to balance the budget, but no industry tax increases passed." Page 96 Allen Gilmer President TIPRO "TIPRO proved again that it is more than an industry advocate at the legislature; it is a thought leader." Page 101 NEWS 14 | Industry Trends: Texas Petro Index keeps pointing upward 16 | Federal Developments: Offshore operators get more time from BSEE; All but 10 high bids get BOEM OK; Industry representatives say PHMSA crude by rail vapor pressure requirements premature 30 | Trump Administration: Federal energy rules reconsidered; Agencies seek to pause lawsuit over venting and flaring rules 34 | Opinion: Examination of facts belies panic about U.S. departure from climate accord 36 | State Legislative: Third time is the charm for Texas RRC reauthorization; Oklahoma industry helps plug budget hole as possibility of special session looms; Louisiana producers applaud return of severance tax incentive; Kansas legislators insist on tax hike 114 | State Supreme Courts: Texas case clarifies surface estate rights; Colorado attorney general appeals to high court 117 | Conventions: COGA Energy Summit will reflect on industry's key improvements; IOGAWV's summer convention highlights technical offerings; Trends for Tennessee industry look more and more promising 121 | Federal Study: USGS says shale drilling doesn't hurt drinking water OFFICIAL CONVENTION SECTIONS 93 | Western Alliance: Oilmen push for federal regulatory reform 96 | IPANM: Industry avoids unwanted attention in legislative session 101 | TIPRO: Successful summer defines midyear convention CONVENTION COVERAGE 106 | CIPA: Industry and its allies confront misperceptions 110 | OIPA: Legislators stick up for state's oil and gas industry COLUMNS 27 | Tech Connections 29 | Washington Watchhttp://www.bluetickinc.com