TXOGA Talks

In this episode of TXOGA Talks, we’re sitting down with Jim Wright, Chairman of the Railroad Commission of Texas. While the agency’s name is a nod to its 19th-century history, its modern mission is focused squarely on the heart of the state’s energy industry: stewardship, safety, and environmental protection. Tune in as we unpack how the Commission manages its oversight across the state and balances record-breaking energy production with the rigorous standards that keep Texas a global leader.

It may not feel like it, but winter isn’t over yet! In this episode of TXOGA Talks, we’re taking a look back at Winter Storm Fern and unpacking how energy infrastructure actually performed, the role of natural gas in supporting the electric grid, and why this story of resilience matters for every Texan.

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples is joined by the 75th Speaker of the House Dennis Bonnen for a breakdown of the upcoming March 2026 Primary Election and how to participate in the political process. In addition, they discuss election trends, the political landscape, and why it’s important to vote and support pro-energy candidates and policies.VoteTexas.govWho Represents MeTXOGAPAC.orgTCJLPAC.com

Tune in to the latest episode of TXOGA Talks for a breakdown of TXOGA’s newly released Energy & Economic Impact Report, highlighting the Texas oil and natural gas industry’s $27 billion paid in state and local taxes and state royalties. That amount translates to nearly $74 million every day that pays for Texas’ public schools, universities, roads, first responders and other essential services.To learn more about the far-reaching impacts of industry’s contributions to the Texas economy, read the full report: https://www.txoga.org/2025eeir

Tune into the latest episode of TXOGA Talks to hear from Jeanette Ward, President and CEO of Texas Mutual Insurance Company! Learn how this unique company, created by the state legislature, has helped drive down workers' compensation costs in Texas by almost 80% and supports safer workplaces.Interested in learning more about the discounts and dividends available for companies participating in the TXOGA Workers' Comp Safety Group? Learn more here:txogainsurance.com

The Constitutional Amendment Election is almost here. Need a primer? TXOGA Talks has you covered. Chairman of the House Elections Committee Matt Shaheen joins us to break down the biggest amendments on the ballot. Get informed before you vote!Proposition Resources:VoteTexas.govTexansForPropFour.comTexas2036.orgAlz.org/YesOn14

In this episode of TXOGA Talks, TXOGA President Todd Staples is joined by TXOGA Chief Economist Dr. Dean Foreman for a breakdown of the two forces reshaping natural gas markets in Texas: the rapid rise of LNG exports and the explosive growth of energy-hungry data centers.

TXOGA Talks is back for Part 2 of our Legislative Session recap! TXOGA President Todd Staples is joined by TXOGA Vice President & General Counsel Cory Pomeroy and TXOGA Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Tulsi Oberbeck for a discussion on oilfield theft, Texas business courts, and the booming liquefied natural gas industry.Tune in for a breakdown of key bills passed to address oilfield theft, including a DPS crime prevention unit and increased penalties, legislation supporting Texas's global leadership in LNG, refinements to Texas's business courts for quicker, more specialized resolution of commercial disputes, and incentives for research and development across Texas industries, including energy.There’s so much to unpack, we couldn’t fit everything into one episode! Be sure to listen to Part 1 released last month to learn more about produced water and well plugging efforts.

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples is joined by TXOGA Vice President & General Counsel Cory Pomeroy and TXOGA Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs Tulsi Oberbeck for a deep dive into the 89th legislative session and the key bills impacting the Texas oil and natural gas industry.Tune in for a breakdown of how Senate Bill 1145 and House Bill 49 are poised to transform produced water from a waste product into a valuable resource. We will also cover the industry's significant efforts in well plugging, and how new bills like Senate Bill 1146 and Senate Bill 1150 are introducing stricter, more transparent regulations to tackle orphan wells.There’s so much to unpack, we couldn’t fit everything into one episode! Keep an eye out for Part 2 later this month for discussions on oilfield theft, Texas business courts, and the booming liquefied natural gas industry.

Join us for a comprehensive debrief of the 89th Texas Legislative Session with TXOGA President Todd Staples and former Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dennis Bonnen. Staples and Bonnen discuss leadership priorities, the contested Speaker election, and go in-depth on major issues like education, fiscal and economic policy, electricity, water, wildfires, and bail reform, exploring their impact on Texans and the state's future.

In a special edition of TXOGA Talks, TXOGA President Todd Staples and Chief Economist Dean Foreman discuss recent global conflicts and what impact they may - or may not - have on the Texas oil and gas industry and what role the Texas energy industry plays in keeping energy and the economy stable not just here at home but also around the world. Links:https://www.txoga.org/energy-security-is-national-security/ https://www.txoga.org/upstream-jobs-may-2025/

In this episode of TXOGA Talks, TXOGA President Todd Staples sits down with Chief Economist Dr. Dean Foreman to break down the global forces reshaping Texas energy. They dive into how shifting trade policies, efforts to rein in the U.S. trade deficit, evolving global demand for oil, and disruptive technologies like AI are setting the stage for a new energy era. With the future up for grabs, Dean outlines critical economic scenarios and shares why Texas producers are uniquely positioned to adapt, lead, and win.TXOGA: Economic Insights

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples is joined by Senator Charles Schwertner, who represents Senate District 5, an eleven-county region of Central and East Texas that includes Bastrop, Brazos, Freestone, Leon, Limestone, Madison, Milam, Robertson, San Jacinto, Walker, and Williamson counties.Senator Schwertner also serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Business and Commerce, which is responsible for a wide range of issues that impact businesses and commerce in the state of Texas, including electricity. They discuss the Committee’s priorities for the legislative session, which include promoting energy production, preventing wildfires and oilfield theft, and strengthening Texas’ electric grid to meet current and future transmission needs.--Texas Senate: Office of Texas Senator Charles Schwertner, District 5Texas Senate: Senate Committee on Business and Commerce

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples sits down with Chief Economist Dean Foreman, Ph.D., to examine the key trends shaping global oil market dynamics in the first quarter of 2025. Their conversation explores the sustained strength in oil and natural gas demand amid headwinds from slowing global economic growth, evolving trade policies and tariffs, and seasonal market patterns.--TXOGA: Quarterly Energy Economics Outlook, Q1 2025TXOGA: Energy and Economics Perspective, Q1 2025

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples discusses 2025 Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol, which took place on Tuesday, February 4. Hundreds of Texans, including employees, partners and supporters of the Texas energy industry, convened in Austin for the day, and the event was sponsored by more than 40 companies, organizations and allied trades from across the state to reinforce the importance of the oil and natural gas industry to our state and nation’s economic and energy security.As part of the morning program, participants heard from several statewide officials, including GLO Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, RRC Chairman Christi Craddick, TCEQ Chairwoman Brooke Paup, RRC Commissioner Jim Wright and Comptroller Glenn Hegar.Energy Day™ – is a registered trademark of the Consumer Energy Alliance– http://www.energydayfestival.org/--TXOGA: 600+ Texans and 40+ Partner Organizations Gather in Austin for Texas Energy Day @ the Capitol

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples provides an overview of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s recently held 2025 State of the State address. He explains the importance of the Governor’s listing of his priorities as emergency items to the legislative process, and highlights key issues for the legislative session, including investments in water, cybersecurity, and education, as well as property relief.--KTBC-TV (FOX-Austin): Gov. Greg Abbott outlines emergency items in annual State of the State addressAmerican Nuclear Society: Abilene Christian University gets permit to build nation’s first molten salt university research reactorKBTX-TV (CBS-Bryan): Texas A&M System announces partnership with 4 nuclear reactor companies to build at RELLIS

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples is joined by Texas General Land Office (GLO)Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., for an overview of the responsibilities of the state’s oldest agency. Established in 1836 by the newly formed Republic of Texas, the GLO is responsible for managing 13 million acres of state lands; leasing land for oil, mineral, and commercial surface uses to generate revenue for the state, including funding the Permanent School Fund; allocating funding for disaster recovery; funding and overseeing Veterans' programs; protecting the coastline; and preserving, archiving, and celebrating the state’s history through the preservation of historic landmarks like The Alamo.--Texas General Land Office: About the GLOTexas General Land Office: The Alamo OverviewTexas Permanent School Fund: Our History

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples and Shana Joyce, Vice President of Government andRegulatory Affairs, discuss the upcoming start of the 89th Legislative Session, which takes place onTuesday, January 14. In addition, they highlight Todd’s personal experiences as a former member of theTexas House and Senate, as well as what to expect and key priorities for the 140-day session.--Texas Tribune: Texas 2024 General Election ResultsKEYE-TV: What to know ahead of the start of the 89th legislative session

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples and Chief Economist Dean Foreman, Ph.D., discuss TXOGA’s newly released annual Energy & Economic Impact Report, which found that the Texas oil and natural gas industry again shattered records by paying $27.3 billion in state and local taxes and royalties as well as breaking numerous production records. Tune in as they discuss the benefits that oil and natural gas activity have on the state, reasons for the industry’s success over the past year and what needs to be done to ensure that Texas remains the energy leader.--TXOGA: 2024 Annual Energy & Economic Impact ReportTXOGA: Economic Insights

In this episode, TXOGA President Todd Staples and Shana Joyce, Vice President of Government and Regulatory Affairs, discuss the Association’s annual Lone Star Energy Forum held in November 2024.In addition, they play the video footage of the panel discussion, “Lone Star Leadership: Navigating the 89th Legislative Landscape,” featuring State Senators Bryan Hughes, Charles Perry and César Blanco, moderated by Kari Gibson, Manager of State Government Affairs for the Lower 48 State Region for ConocoPhillips. The panelists provided insights into the upcoming 89th Legislative Session, highlighting their legislative priorities as well as potential legislation to expand water and electricity infrastructure to meet the needs of a rapidly growing Texas.--TXOGA: TXOGA Lone Star Energy Forum Features 66th U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Governor Greg Abbott