Commissioner Craddick Highlights Oil and Gas Work Force’s Long-Term Importance to Texas Energy Development

DALLAS – Railroad Commissioner Christi Craddick spoke to the Dallas Section of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) today at their February meeting about the state of Texas’ oil and gas industry and what the industry’s work force may expect throughout the next year.

“One of the industry’s greatest challenges is access to a technical work force,” Craddick said. “Texas has consistently ranked high in providing an expert work force across a broad spectrum of industries, particularly in energy development. You are one of the greatest reasons why businesses often choose Texas for their operations over other states. And, it is critical to our state’s continued success that we focus on consistent work force development.”

SPE was officially founded in 1957 as an arm of the American Institute of Mining Engineers (AIME), and became a separately incorporated organization in 1985. SPE is the largest individual member organization serving managers, engineers, scientists and other professionals in the upstream segment of the oil and gas industry.

“While it is not easy to see the jobs lost today, we must remember the long history of this great industry in our state and look confidently toward the future,” Craddick said. “Texas oil and gas production has sustained generations upon generations of workers, and I encourage you to carry on this industry’s rich history.”

Christi Craddick was elected statewide by the people of Texas in November 2012 to serve a six-year term as Texas Railroad Commissioner. A native of Midland, Christi is an attorney specializing in oil and gas, water, tax issues, electric deregulation and environmental policy.