Energy Business Conference
The NAPE Energy Business Conference features presentations from senior-level executives and industry leaders brought on stage to discuss some of the industry's most pressing topics. Attendees also enjoy extra networking time along with exclusive insights from the experts the day before the expo floor opens. To access the Legal Track, a U.S. Oil & Gas and Renewable Energy Law Seminar registration is required.
Thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
2026 Energy Business Conference Schedule
8-9 a.m. Registration & Breakfast
9-9:55 a.m.
Business Track Session 1: State of the Industry & Market Outlook
Overview: Macro outlook, U.S. production trends, future demand
Speakers: Bernadette Johnson, Enverus; Michelle Michot Foss, L'Acadie Network; Trisha Curtis, PetroNerds; and Dan Naatz, IPAA
Technical Workshop A: AI & Machine Learning in the Energy Industry Part 1
Overview: How AI and machine learning can be leveraged to enhance operational outcomes in the energy industry, with a focus on applied solutions and lessons learned from actual deployments. Case studies, workflow applications and operational “how-to” guidance.
Speakers: Yuriy Gubanov, Amazon Web Services; Camilo Rodriguez, S&P Global; Andrew Munoz, 4Cast; Sashi Gunturu, Petrabytes; Joel Dunn, AI Driller; and Bryan McDowell, Sabata Energy Consultants
Legal Track Session 1: An Introduction to the Law of Offshore Oil & Gas Development
Overview: This presentation will provide an introduction to the law of offshore oil and gas development, including an overview of The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act and an update on recent and continuing issues of competing federal and state authority with offshore development. It will also address the role of the Department of the Interior in offshore oil and gas development and regulation.
Speaker: Sarah Dicharry, Partner, Jones Walker LLP
9:55-10:15 a.m.
Q&A/Break
10:15-11:10 a.m.
Business Track Session 2: Produced Water
Overview: The operational, regulatory, and emerging market opportunities around produced water, with a particular emphasis on lithium extraction and innovative reuse strategies.
Speakers: Jeremy Smith, Texas Pacific Land Corp.; Jeremy Humphers, Galvanic; Michael "Chop" Reitz, WaterBridge; and Brad Gibbs, Oliva Gibbs
Technical Workshop A: AI & Machine Learning in the Energy Industry Part 2
Overview: How AI and machine learning can be leveraged to enhance operational outcomes in the energy industry, with a focus on applied solutions and lessons learned from actual deployments. Case studies, workflow applications and operational “how-to” guidance.
Speakers: Yuriy Gubanov, Amazon Web Services; Camilo Rodriguez, S&P Global; Andrew Munoz, 4Cast; Sashi Gunturu, Petrabytes; Joel Dunn, AI Driller; and Bryan McDowell, Sabata Energy Consultants
Legal Track Session 2: Load Growth from Data Centers – Issues, Challenges, and Potential Solutions
Overview: Data centers are rapidly expanding due to increased reliance on cloud computing, AI, and streaming services, creating significant challenges for public utilities, regulators, and other consumers, and create competition for industrial consumers, including the oil and gas sector, for electricity and renewable energy resources. This presentation will examine these issues and explore potential solutions, including demand-side management, direct power purchase agreements, grid modernization, energy storage, and decentralization, while highlighting the legal and policy responses to balance growth and sustainability.
Speaker: Justina Caviglia, Shareholder, Parsons Behle & Latimer
11:10-11:30 a.m.
Q&A/Break
11:30 a.m. - 12:55 p.m.
Luncheon Keynote and NAPE Hall of Fame Awards
Overview: High-level energy leadership dialogue
Speakers: Kyle Koontz, bpx energy; moderated by Ann Bluntzer Pullin, Hamm Institute
12:55-1:05 p.m.
Break
1:05-2 p.m.
Business Track Session 4: AI & Data Center Power Needs
Overview: Energy sourcing for hyperscale AI/data centers
Speakers: Krisha Tracy, Amazon Web Services; Mike Sommers, API; Dan Turco, Expand Energy; and Terry Nutt, Talen Energy
Technical Workshop B: International Exploration & Offshore Ventures Part 1
Overview: Exploring global bid rounds, contract frameworks, geological datasets, and seismic access
Speakers: Paul Mann, University of Houston; Buford Pollett, University of Tulsa; David Hajovsky, TGS; Mohamed Khalil, Murphy Oil Corp.; and John Farrelly, Prudentia Geoscience LLC
Legal Track Session 4: Drafting and Negotiating Oil & Gas Master Purchase Order Agreements
Overview: This presentation will address important considerations and provisions in the context of buying and renting goods that differ from most master service agreements and their underlying risk allocation schemes. The speaker will cover working with supply chain departments to handle the differences between obtaining services and contracting for goods.
Speaker: John Almy, Shreholder, Liskow & Lewis
2-2:20 p.m.
Q&A/Break
2:20-3:15 p.m.
Business Track Session 5: Private Equity's Role in Energy
Overview: Investment trends in upstream/energy services, private capital’s influence on strategy and innovation
Speakers: Jonathan Hickman, Lime Rock Resources; David Hopson, PetroCap; Kate Richard, Warwick Investment Group; and Rachel Rosenfeld, Norton Rose Fulbright
Technical Workshop B: International Exploration & Offshore Ventures Part 2
Overview: Exploring global bid rounds, contract frameworks, geological datasets, and seismic access
Speakers: Paul Mann, University of Houston; Buford Pollett, University of Tulsa; David Hajovsky, TGS; Huyen Bui, Shell; and Mohamed Khalil, Murphy Oil Corp.
Legal Track Session 5: Annual Oil & Gas Law Update
Overview: This annual presentation will provide an overview of important recent cases and other legal developments in oil and gas law.
Speakers: Austin Brister, Partner, McGinnis Lochridge; Alejandra Salas, Associate, McGinnis Lochridge
3:15-3:25 p.m.
Q&A/Break
3:25-3:50 p.m.
NAPE Charities & American Hero Award Presentations
3:50-4:45 p.m.
Governors Forum
Overview: Energy Security, Infrastructure & Policy
Speakers: Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy; Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves; Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt; moderated by Jacki Pick Deason, Deason Capital Services
