Using the domestic horizontal rig count as our barometer, a significant majority of upstream investment is in TX and NM’s Permian Basin and OK’s Anadarko Basin. In these activity hot spots, there are numerous examples of innovative technology applications and evolving best practices. This presentation will highlight examples of how operators are becoming even more efficient driving production up and costs down. Topics will include industry consolidation, divestitures, and startups, associated impacts to operations, the capture and use of big data, environmental stewardship, water sourcing and recycling, water midstream expansion and other industry trends, challenges and opportunities.

Primary Author / Plenary Speaker

Kenneth Nichols
Project Manager
Tetra Tech
Austin, Texas, USA

Ken is a registered professional engineer  in Texas with more than 22 years of experience specializing in water management.  He began his career working for an oil field service company as a Field Engineer.  Since then, he has gained 15 years of consulting experience and 4 years leading the corporate water team for Devon Energy.  He has performed in both technical and managerial roles working on projects for municipal, power, nuclear and agricultural clients, in addition to oil and gas operators.  Ken  has been an active member in the Society of Petroleum Engineers, National Ground Water Association, and the American Water Works Association.  In his current role, Ken serves as a senior project manager and regional water group leader, serving both the Commercial Account Management and U.S. Infrastructure Groups. This position includes developing and executing strategies to drive growth in Texas and surrounding states related to water and engineering services, developing new clients, and delivering projects.  From 2014-2018, Ken worked as the corporate Water Management Coordinator for Devon Energy.  In this position, he led the Operations Excellence Water Team.  The team was responsible for evaluating and deploying water technologies, developing best practices, creating water management plans, and assisting with technical stakeholder engagement.  His work history includes positions with CH2M Hill, HDR Engineering, Schlumberger Dowell and Illinois State Water Survey.