Robert Norton

Chief Commercial Officer
Deep Blue

Robert serves as the Chief Commercial Officer for Deep Blue, located in Midland, TX. In this capacity, he leads all commercial and M&A initiatives, particularly focusing on strategic bolt-ons and acquisitions of water systems in the Midland Basin.

His leadership expands to crafting and executing comprehensive corporate growth strategies centered around water gathering, recycling and disposal. Under his guidance Deep Blue has achieved significant milestones, including the successful negotiation and closing of a joint venture between Diamondback Energy and Five Point Energy which included all of Diamondback’s Midland Basin water assets and a follow-on equity commitment.

Prior to Deep Blue, Robert led Five Point Energy’s water strategy through his company Rio Blanco. Robert has served in a strategic commercial capacity throughout his career previously with Cureton Midstream and DCP Midstream in the DJ Basin.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from SMU in Dallas.

Detailed Agenda

Monday - May 5, 2025 | Pre-Conference

Start TimeDescription
11:00 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
6:30 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
  • Joseph Triepke, 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)
  • Kirby Lindsey, Occidental Oil & Gas Corporation
  • Land & Water (Chance Freeman, Civitas Resources)
  • 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
  • Matt Tate, Delek Logistics
  • Joseph Triepke, Oilfield Water Connection
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
11:40 am
  • Rob Rice, Gravity
  • 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