I am proud to be a part of an industry that provides energy to our great nation;
however, with the price of oil reaching $100 per barrel, I think we all get a
little nervous about government interference and a public backlash. We must remind
our friends and family (when the topic comes up because it will) that the price
of oil is cyclical in nature; moreover, American petroleum companies (or any public
energy company for that matter) do not control the price of oil. The fact of the
matter is that national oil companies (namely those that form OPEC) and the weak
dollar are dictating the high prices. The solution: a practical national
energy policy. Increases in automobile fuel efficiency, conversion of fleet vehicles
to natural gas, and economic encouragement for our nation’s small independents
will work wonders. Biofuels and other politically popular solutions will not meet
demand and are actually more damaging to the environment according to recent articles
in newspapers like the New York Times.
We are quickly approaching national
elections that will have significant implications for our nation and industry.
Please choose carefully when deciding on your candidate. Also, spread the word
about the good that American petroleum companies do for our country. We may never
truly achieve energy independence, but we can be much less dependent.
Upcoming
opportunities:
- SPE student night is on April 17th. The
University of Tulsa Student SPE Section along with our Mid-Continent SPE Section
will hold a joint meeting. Dave Rader, former TU football coach, will be speaking
that night. I would like to encourage all of you to attend and meet both undergraduate
and graduate students that will soon be our colleagues and employees.
- Remember
to register for the 2008 Improved Oil Recovery Symposium to be held
at the Renaissance Hotel from April 19th through the 23rd. Please visit www.speior.orgfor
more information.
- On May 2nd, our Mid-Continent SPE Section will
host a 90th Anniversary Party at the Gilcrease Museum. The event begins
at 5:00 PM with appetizer and guided tours of the museum. Ceremonies commence
at 7:30PM with a talk about the history of the Mid-Continent Section by Norm Hyne,
an address by a representative from SPEInternational, the screening of a short
video documentary about our section’s history. The board and I would like
to see you there and commemorate the 90th year of SPE section #1 with us. Spouses
are welcome and only those who RSVP will be admitted.
- Additional
luncheon presentation PowerPoint slides are now available on our website under
the "Resources" tab.
- The SPE board has approved the "90
for 90" campaign. Our section will award $90,000 dollars for 90 years of
existence for the 2008 – 2009 academic year. If you know of a graduating
high school senior or undergraduate student majoring in the sciences, please pass
the word. Information will be posted on our website, www.spemc.org,
under "Scholarships."
Philip
Johnson
2007 – 2008 Chairman
295-1812 Phone
295-1894 Fax
pjohnson@cimarex.com