AUGUST 2021 Volume 64 No. 8 0821 Cover_Option 2 8/10/2021 2:09 PM Page 1 THE ISSUE The " Better Business " Publication Serving the Exploration / Drilling / Production Industry AUGUST 2021 Permian Preview Production Monitoring Fracturing Technology The trend line on weekly U.S. hydraulic fracturing spread counts has been consistently pointing higher all year, with the number of active spreads effectively doubling since last fall. August's cover story explains why spreads will continue returning to action and predicts how much the count can grow. Other articles in the Fracturing Tech section detail the economic, safety and environmental upsides associated with using hyperlocally-sourced " wet " sand. August's special reports open with a sneak preview of the upcoming Permian Basin International Oil Show, offering the unique perspectives of the 2021 PBIOS president, whose boots have walked everywhere from the rig floor to the executive board room. AOGR then talks with the Permian Basin Workforce Development Board's top staff member, who outlines local efforts to address workforce shortages. Next, Production Monitoring Reports share how advances in IoT technologies are driving a new generation of high-capability, low-cost well site solutions. The section concludes with the first installment of a two-part series analyzing factors to consider when constructing natural gas gathering systems. Industry news includes a Petroleum Association of Wyoming convention section. Cover photo courtesy of PropX. Issue photography by Jim Blecha Photography, and courtesy of SCS Technologies. NEWS 14 | In the Courts: TC Energy files NAFTA suit over Keystone cancellation; California restaurateurs vow to keep fighting Berkeley gas ban; Louisiana Supreme Court limits damages for oil field lawsuits; Pennsylvania high court says state lands leasing revenue cannot go to general fund 17 | State Regulatory Update: California cites climate change in rejecting well permits 18 | Industry Activity: TIPRO analysis notes industry jobs on the rise 19 | Tribal Support: Southern Utes join pro-development initiative 19 | Mergers and Acquisitions: Penn Virginia acquires Lonestar Resources; Select Energy Services purchases Complete Energy Services; Wildfire Energy obtains Hawkwood Energy 22 | Letter to the Editor: Africa must fight poverty with oil and gas 77 | Federal Regulatory Update: Cybersecurity still looms large 78 | Economic Analysis: PwC finds oil and gas vital to U.S. prosperity 80 | Offshore Issues: More parity on surety requirements needed in Gulf OFFICIAL CONVENTION SECTION 31 | PAW: Association sees bright future for Wyoming's oil and gas workers COLUMNS 25 | Tech Connections DEPARTMENTS 11 | Calendar 12 | Oil & Gas Counts 14 | Industry Digest 27 | Washington Watch 82 | Industry Focus 89 | Classified Advertising 90 | Advertisers Indexhttps://bluetickinc.com/