American Oil and Gas Reporter - September 2023 - 45

ConventionSec tion: New Mexico Oil & Gas Association
New Mexico's Industry
Exemplifies Synergy
By Del Torkelson
ROSWELL, N.M.-The New Mexico
Oil & Gas Association will celebrate its
95th year when members gather for the
group's 2023 Annual Convention, Oct. 810
in Santa Fe, N.M. NMOGA's top officer,
Betty Read Young, has seen a large portion
of that history and suggests that something
different-and encouraging-is afoot.
As the daughter of longtime New Mexico
oil man Charlie Read, Young jokes
that she has been in the oil and gas
business since the day she was born, and
has been observing the state's industry
ever since. " I have been here 70 years
and I have never seen such cooperation
throughout the industry, " attests Young,
who is president, chair and chief financial
officer of Read and Stevens Inc. in Roswell.
Some of yesteryear's attitudes, approaches
and assumptions may have been
right for days gone past, she considers,
but the evolving landscape and political
realities in which the industry finds itself
have spurred companies to prize mutual
consultation, collaboration and solidarity.
Producers, service providers and midstream
companies are communicating
and working together in new ways, she
describes, as are companies of all sizes,
origins, strategies and structures.
Such industry unity was Young's overriding
emphasis when she accepted the
gavel in October 2022, she says, and
what she has observed since demonstrates
how many share that perspective. " We
have been so busy with our own companies
for so many years, but I have hoped we
all could get together, " Young articulates.
" There has been tremendous input and
participation not only from operators, but
also from service companies and pipelines.
" Companies of all sorts have jumped
into various NMOGA committees, " she
continues. " I received interest in committees
from more people than could fit,
but we will keep everyone in the loop for
the future. I have been overwhelmed with
their desire to help NMOGA and it is exciting
to get perspective from all angles. "
Young and NMOGA President and
Chief Executive Officer Missi Currier say
" As the government keeps coming up with all
kinds of rules for the industry, we have had to
get together. "
-Betty Read Young
NMOGA Chair
the collaborative spirit extends well beyond
NMOGA membership rolls, and includes
cooperation with allies such as the Independent
Petroleum Association of New
Mexico, Permian Basin Petroleum Association
and American Petroleum Institute.
" Since I came on board last October-and
especially during the legislative
session-I have seen so much unity between
NMOGA, IPANM and PBPA, "
Young relates. " We go to the table together
to communicate with legislators, stakeholders
and government officials about
the proper way to accommodate oil and
gas drilling in New Mexico. "
The association also seeks and cultivates
allies outside the industry, Currier
says. " Much like our partnership with
PBPA, IPANM and API, partnering with
other industries is essential, " she says.
" We are very fortunate to have great relationships
with other trade groups-not
only in oil and gas, but beyond-to raise
our collective voices and say energy is
essential to our economy, comfort and
way of life. "
The outreach extends to the communities
in which companies work, Young
adds. " For the longest time, many big
companies from out of state were so busy
trying to run their operations they did
not have time to contribute to the surrounding
communities, " she recalls. " Now
they are helping them and also participating
in events, such as the Albuquerque
International Balloon Fiesta. "
Much of the industry's harmony is a
product of necessity, Young suggests. " As
the government keeps coming up with
all kinds of rules for the industry, we
have had to get together, " she reflects.
" New Mexico's effort to reduce venting
and flaring is a good example. All of us
got together with regulators to come up
with a plan to reduce venting and flaring
that worked for everyone. In the first
year, most operators achieved 90% reductions.
It was amazing. "
New President
NMOGA announced Currier as president
and CEO on Aug. 1. Although she
still is familiarizing herself with the position,
Currier indicates she definitely
has picked up on NMOGA's esprit de
corps. " The thing that has most impressed
and excited me is our member companies'
dedication to helping NMOGA succeed, "
she comments. " Yes, a strong trade group
is good for the membership, but it is
much more than that. They love this state,
the industry they serve, and the ways the
industry contributes to the state.
" It is more than business, " she adds.
" It is about being proud of the industry
in which they work and the state in which
they operate. That dedication and love is
exciting, because I share it. "
Originally hailing from Carlsbad, N.M.,
Currier notes that growing up a native
New Mexican helped her appreciate the
industry's significance to the state long
before she began her professional career.
" Growing up in the Permian, the industry
SEPTEMBER 2023 45
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