Chris Wright

Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy

Chris Wright is the 17th Secretary for the U.S. Department of Energy. A self-described energy nerd turned entrepreneur, Chris is a dedicated humanitarian with a passion for bringing the benefits of energy to every community in the world. This passion has inspired a career in energy, working not only in oil and gas but nuclear, solar, and geothermal. As Secretary of Energy, Chris is focused on unleashing American energy dominance, accelerating innovation and advancing all energy sources that are affordable, reliable and secure for the American people.

Chris completed an undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at MIT and graduate work in Electrical Engineering at UC Berkeley and MIT. He founded Pinnacle Technologies and served as CEO from 1992 to 2006. Pinnacle created the hydraulic fracture mapping industry, and its innovations helped launch commercial shale gas production in the late 1990s. Chris was Chairman of Stroud Energy, an early shale gas producer, before selling to Range Resources in 2006. Most recently, Chris served as Chairman and CEO of Liberty Energy, where his team helped to expand the shale revolution to include oil as well as natural gas. Chris has also participated in an effort to apply shale technology to unlock next-generation geothermal and helped to launch small modular reactors.

Chris was nominated by President Trump to serve as the 17th Secretary of Energy on November 16, 2024 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on February 3rd, 2025. He grew up in Colorado and currently lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife, Liz. He is a passionate father, grandfather, skier, cyclist, climber, and outdoor enthusiast.

Detailed Agenda

Monday - May 5, 2025 | Pre-Conference

Start TimeDescription
10:30 am
Private meeting, separate registration required
12:00 pm
Private meeting, separate registration required
1:00 pm
Private meeting, separate registration required
2:00 pm
In the Irving Convention Center Ballroom
5:00 pm
Private meeting, separate registration required
6:00 pm
Open to all conference registrants; drinks, snacks, entertainment; sponsored by
7:30 pm
Invitation only, sponsored by
7:30 pm

Tuesday - May 6, 2025 | Conference Day 1

Start TimeDescription
7:30 am
In exhibit hall
8:15 am
kick-off sponsored by
  • Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection
  • Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection
8:30 am
  • Ryan Hassler, Rystad Energy
9:00 am
  • Tracee Bentley, Permian Strategic Partnership [Chair]
  • Ray Perryman, The Perryman Group
  • Karr Ingham, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
  • Kirk Edwards P.E., Latigo Petroleum
9:45 am
  • Kelly Bennett, B3 Insight
10:15 am
break sponsor
10:45 am
  • Brian Bohm, Independent [Chair]
  • Steven Runyan, Coterra Energy
  • John Cave, Expand Energy
  • Chance Freeman, Civitas Resources
  • Tyler Mitchell, Devon Energy
11:30 am
  • Robert Ballantyne, RWI Enhanced Evaporation
11:35 am
  • Bentsen Falb, Raymond James [Chair]
  • Nick Patterson, Aris Water Solutions
  • Jon VandenBrand, Western Midstream
  • Zach Neal, Pilot Water Solutions
12:15 pm
With time to visit exhibit hall; Sponsorship available
1:30 pm
  • Tim Carroll, Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.
  • James Brewins, Price Forbes & Partners
  • Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection [Moderator]
1:50 pm
  • Michael Bodino, Texas Capital Bank
1:55 pm
  • Jason Schumacher, O’Melveny & Myers LLP
2:15 pm
3 rotations (15-minute each) to join tables hosted by E&P representatives for candid dialog
  • The Facility Of The Future In Produced Water (Steven Runyan, Coterra Energy)
  • Loving/Reeves County Mid- to Long-term Production Assurance & Water Disposal Plans (Kirby Lindsey, Oxy)
  • Land & Water (Chance Freeman, Civitas Resources)
  • Where Does Water Midstream Fit In E&P Portfolios (Tyler Mitchell, Devon Energy)
  • Evaporators & Crystallizers (Paul Hart, Diversified)
  • Beneficial Reuse Public-Facing Strategy (Stuart Mussler, Chevron)
  • Water Reuse & Recycling (John Cave, Expand Energy)
  • Nanotechnology for Subsurface Water Management (Steve Gornick, 9Band Operating)
3:00 pm
In exhibit hall
3:30 pm
  • Patrick Patton, B3 Insight [Chair]
  • Ted Wooten, Railroad Commission of Texas
  • Annan Pascoe, Deep Blue Water
  • Taylor Sanchez, Diamondback
  • Kirby Lindsey, Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation
4:10 pm
  • Kieron Jeffries, Concept Tanks
4:15 pm
  • Casey Lowary, Texas Capital Bank [Chair]
  • Cory Hall, AQT Water Management
  • Dan Montgomery, Bison Water Midstream
  • Stan Berry, S&P Global Commodity Insights
  • Benjamin Johnson, Texas Capital Securities
5:00 pm
Sponsored by
6:30 pm
Evening free for client dinners

Wednesday - May 7, 2025 | Conference Day 2

Start TimeDescription
8:00 am
In exhibit hall
9:00 am
  • Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection
  • Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection
9:15 am
  • Doug Robison, Natura Resources
  • Justin Sink, Natura Resources
  • Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection [Moderator]
9:45 am
  • Dane Broussard, CORE Linepipe [Chair]
  • Robert Crain, Texas Pacific Water Resources
  • Taylor Spalla, Kelly Hart & Hallman LLP
  • Chris Harich, XRI
10:30 am
break sponsor
11:00 am
  • Brandon Durrett, Jackson Walker LLP [Chair]
  • Keith Gardner, KJG Strategies
  • David Grounds, Pilot Water Solutions
  • Nate Alleman, Ace Energy Advisors
11:40 am
  • Rob Rice, Gravity
  • Michael Anderson, Layne Water Midstream
  • Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection (Moderator)
12:00 pm
  • Pete Cook, Oilfield Water Connection
  • Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection
12:15 pm
Exhibitor breakdown; time for pickleball tournament preparation, transportation, and lunch at courts
1:00 pm
At Chicken N Pickle with open bar and food provided; open only to conference registrants who sign up for player or spectator passes during online registration; swag and pro lesson included plus play for bragging rights.
title belt and trophies sponsored by
paddle and ball sponsored by
towels courtesy of
socks courtesy of
sweat bands courtesy of
5:30 pm
Conference adjourns