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.
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: U.S. Energy Outlook 2026: Balancing Supply, Demand, and Policy
Overview: Industry experts provide a comprehensive look at the current and future state of global and domestic energy markets. This session will explore the evolving situation in Venezuela, U.S. production trends, capital discipline, demand recovery, and macroeconomic forces shaping commodity pricing and investment. Panelists will discuss how geopolitical developments, evolving ESG priorities, and emerging technologies are reshaping strategies across the upstream and midstream sectors.
Speakers: Sarp Ozkan, VP - Commercial Product, Enverus; Michelle Michot Foss, Advisor, L'Acadie Network; Trisha Curtis, President & CE0, PetroNerds; and Dan Naatz, EVP & Chief Policy Officer, 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, Worldwide Principal Partner Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services; Camilo Rodriguez, Data Science & Modeling Lead, S&P Global; Andrew Munoz, President, 4Cast; Sashi Gunturu, Co-Founder & CEO, Petrabytes; Joel Dunn, Director, AI Driller; and Bryan McDowell, Founder & Managing Partner, 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: Water Works: Innovation, Regulation, and the Path to Sustainability
Overview: Produced water remains one of the most pressing operational and environmental challenges in oil and gas. This panel explores the evolving business and regulatory landscape governing produced water handling and disposal, as well as innovative treatment technologies enabling reuse and resource recovery. Panelists will examine how collaboration across operators, midstream providers, and technology developers is turning a waste stream into a strategic asset.
Speakers: Jeremy Smith, SVP of Business Development, Texas Pacific Land Corp.; Jeremy Humphers, President & CFO, Galvanic; Michael "Chop" Reitz, President & COO, WaterBridge; and Brad Gibbs, Co-Owner, 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, Worldwide Principal Partner Solutions Architect, Amazon Web Services; Camilo Rodriguez, Data Science & Modeling Lead, S&P Global; Andrew Munoz, President, 4Cast; Sashi Gunturu, Co-Founder & CEO, Petrabytes; Joel Dunn, Director, AI Driller; and Bryan McDowell, Founder & Managing Partner, 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: Scaling Smarter: How Technology Is Powering bpx energy’s Next Chapter
NAPE Hall of Fame Awards
Overview: In this luncheon keynote, Kyle Koontz, CEO of bpx energy, shares how a disciplined approach to innovation and technology enabled the company to scale efficiently while delivering strong operational performance. Following opening remarks, Koontz joins Ann Bluntzer Pullin for a moderated discussion exploring bpx’s technology journey, lessons learned along the way, and how data-driven decision-making continues to fuel the company’s long-term success.
Speakers: Kyle Koontz, CEO, bpx energy; moderated by Ann Bluntzer Pullin, Executive Director, Hamm Institute for American Energy
12:55-1:05 p.m.
Break
1:05-2 p.m.
Business Track Session 4: Energy for Intelligence: The Power Challenge Behind AI Expansion
Overview: The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and data infrastructure has triggered exponential growth in power demand—transforming the relationship between technology and energy. This session examines how data centers are reshaping energy markets and the solutions being developed to meet their needs sustainably. Panelists will discuss investment trends, energy sourcing strategies, and the future role of renewables and baseload generation in supporting digital growth.
Speakers: Krisha Tracy, Principal Strategic Business Developer, Amazon Web Services; Mike Sommers, President & CEO, API; Dennis Price, Vice President - Financial Trading, LNG, Risk & Analysis, Expand Energy; and Terry Nutt, President, 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, Professor of Geology, University of Houston; Buford Pollett, Professor of Energy Law and Commerce & Faculty Advisor, University of Tulsa; David Hajovsky, EVP, Multi-Client, TGS; Mohamed Khalil, Geoscience Advisor – Offshore Deepwater Assets, Murphy Oil Corp.; and John Farrelly, President & Senior Consultant, 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, Shareholder, Liskow & Lewis
2-2:20 p.m.
Q&A/Break
2:20-3:15 p.m.
Business Track Session 5: Capital Catalysts: Private Equity’s Influence in the Energy Evolution
Overview: Private equity continues to play a pivotal role in shaping strategies across the energy value chain. This panel will discuss where capital is flowing, how investors are evaluating risk, and the types of projects attracting funding amid shifting market and policy dynamics. Speakers will also share insights into exit strategies, new fund models, and the intersection of financial innovation and operational excellence.
Speakers: Jonathan Hickman, COO, Lime Rock Resources; David Hopson, Partner, PetroCap; Kate Richard, Founder, Warwick Investment Group; and Rachel Rosenfeld, Senior Associate, 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, Professor of Geology, University of Houston; Buford Pollett, Professor of Energy Law and Commerce & Faculty Advisor, University of Tulsa; Mohamed Khalil, Geoscience Advisor – Offshore Deepwater Assets, Murphy Oil Corp.; and John Farrelly, President & Senior Consultant, Prudentia Geoscience LLC; Joseph Hajj, General Manager – Greenfield Development and Near-Field Exploration, Shell
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.
NAPE Energy Leadership Forum: Energy’s New Command Center
Overview: The era of "what if" is over. The era of "how to" has arrived. Join us for an exclusive, high-level forum that breaks the traditional mold. We are bringing the architects of American energy policy and the titans of industrial execution together on one stage to map the next decade of the energy landscape. This isn't a series of soundbites — it’s a working session on the future of the industry. Our panelists will dive deep into the friction and the fusion between regulatory strategy, state-level resource management, and global industrial demand.
Core Discussion Pillars:
- The Federal-State Handshake: How the DOI and DOE are streamlining the path from permit to production, and how Alaska is leading the charge in balancing conservation with massive-scale resource development.
- Global Volatility & Domestic Strength: Insight from INEOS on the frontline of global petrochemicals — what the private sector needs from the government to keep North America the most competitive energy hub on earth.
- Infrastructure & Innovation: A candid look at the "wires and pipes" reality — moving energy from the wilderness to the world market amidst evolving environmental mandates.
"This is where the policy meets the pavement. If you want to know where the capital will flow and where the rigs will move in 2026 and beyond, you need to be in this room
Speakers: Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy; Audrey Robertson, Assistant Secretary of Energy, DOE; David Bucknall, CEO, INEOS Energy; Mike Sommers, President & CEO, American Petroleum Institute
