American Oil and Gas Reporter - September 2015 - 161

he says.
Yet another first-time feature is a special equipment display area. "Because of
the unpredictability of late-October weather," D'Amico observes, "we won't have
an outdoor exhibit area for equipment.
However, the convention center's North
Hall has a 26-foot-high ceiling to accommodate some sizable equipment.
"The last time we did this," he relates,
"we had a 100,000-pound natural gaspowered hydraulic fracturing truck on
display. This illustrates that we want to
accommodate those who need a lot of
space."

Upstream Exhibition
Exhibitors will be moving in their displays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday,
Oct. 26. The booths will be open from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, and a
networking reception is set for 5:30 to
8:30 p.m. On Wednesday, exhibits will
be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., when
tear-down begins, D'Amico outlines.
The EOGCTS is the oldest event of
its kind in the eastern United States,
D'Amico comments. Oil and gas explorers
and producers organize it with the upstream industry in mind. "We cater not
only to those working the region's unconventional plays, but also to the traditional oil and gas producers that have
been the backbone of our industry for
more than 150 years," he states. "Our
event is conveniently located for industry
representatives in Pennsylvania, Ohio,
West Virginia, New York, Virginia and
Kentucky.
"We are really glad to announce we
will be back at the Monroeville Convention
Center," D'Amico elaborates. "It boasts
more than 100,000 square feet of meeting
and exhibit space, and is next to a recently
renovated Doubletree Hotel. It is part of
a mall complex, and there are plenty of
hotels, restaurants, stores and other amenities nearby."
Conference Highlights
The conference portion of the agenda
includes a panel of shale producer chief
executive officers, as well as Bernard
Weinstein, director of the Maguire Energy
Institute at Southern Methodist University,
who will share insights with the audience,
D'Amico reveals.
"In addition," the PIOGA president
reports, "a BTU Analytics representative
will address overall market conditions.
We encourage people to participate to
learn more about the challenges we face
as an industry. This is a good venue for
hearing what the experts are saying and
predicting.
"Yes, our industry is facing tough

times because of poor market conditions,"
D'Amico continues. "This is why it is
especially important to participate. Attendees can make new contacts and let
the industry know about new market opportunities and fresh ways to make their
operations more efficient. Smart compa-

nies see opportunities where others see
doom and gloom."
For information or to register, contact
PIOGA, 115 VIP Drive, Suite 210, Northridge Office Plaza II, Wexford, Pa. 15090;
phone 724-933-7306, ext. 22; or visit
www.pioga.org.
❒

60th Anniversary Celebration
Continues At OIPA Conference
OKLAHOMA CITY-Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association members
meeting for their fall conference will
hear details of many success stories from
the past year as they continue to celebrate
the association's 60th anniversary, OIPA
President Mike Terry reports.
The convention is scheduled for Oct.
18-20 at Big Cedar Lodge in Branson,
Mo., where an attractive mix of business
and leisure activities highlight the agenda,
Terry says.
"Our fall conference will shine the
spotlight on many of the successes our
state's industry has enjoyed recently,"
he comments. "Successes don't come
without challenges, however, and we will
address the obstacles ahead as well.
"Those obstacles include the threat of
burdensome regulations at every level,"
he continues. "The impacts of new state,
federal and even local laws and regulations
on oil and gas production are on everyone's
mind. We will share new information
about these rules and also discuss the financial future of the oil and gas industry."
Association members also will be reminded about the reasons Oklahoma has
been named the number-one location in
the world for oil and natural gas investment.
"We want to remain number one,"
Terry emphasizes. "There is no greater
showcase of America's oil and gas renaissance than the state of Oklahoma, but
federal regulations continue to stymie independent producers."
At the state level, the OIPA president
remarks, the association is working to
incorporate the industry's technological
advances into the regulatory structure.
"We need to ensure the Oklahoma Corporation Commission remains the regulatory authority for our industry," Terry
explains. "Federal tax reform proposals
call for ending oil and gas deductions,
while new technology continues to drive
oil field innovation. And this is happening
at a time of depressed oil and natural gas
prices.
"These things all have the potential to
put Oklahoma oil and natural gas com-

panies in financial jeopardy," he elaborates.
"By arming our members with up-todate education, we can stave off efforts
to harm the industry and ensure Oklahoma's oil and natural gas industry remains
vibrant and prosperous."

Convention Schedule
OIPA's fall conference opens with a
board of directors meeting at 1:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18, and exhibitors will begin
setting up their displays of products and
services at 3 p.m. A campfire cookout is
on tap for 6 o'clock; transportation will
be provided, Terry says.
Breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m.
Monday, Oct. 19, when exhibit booths
open. Displays will remain available until
noon, Terry says.
General sessions will be under way
from 8:45 to 11:30 a.m., he says. A
keynote speaker will highlight the noon
luncheon, and a sponsor-appreciation reception starts at 4 o'clock. Two hours
later, Terry notes, a "night at the Top of
the Rock" begins. Transportation will be
provided to this event as well, he mentions.
Tuesday morning opens with a 7:30
breakfast, and exhibits will be open from
7:30 to 11 a.m. More general sessions
are on the agenda from 8:45 to 10:45
a.m., and then it is off to the OIPA Fall
Classic Golf Tournament at the Buffalo
Ridge Golf Club.
"Already acclaimed as the region's
top golf course, Buffalo Ridge has been
transformed by conservationist Johnny
Morris and renowned golf course architect
Tom Fazio," Terry enthuses. "They have
added new approaches, water features
and bunkers. This redesign of the course
layout brings players in close contact with
native grasses and free-ranging buffalo
from nearby Dogwood Canyon Nature
Park."
Golf Magazine has rated Buffalo Ridge
as the number-one public course in Missouri. It also has been named one of the
top 10 Missouri courses by Golf Digest
since 2001. Golf Digest awards it with
4.5 stars out of 5.0, Terry notes.
SEPTEMBER 2015 161

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