In this episode of The Crude Truth, recorded live at NAPE 2026, Rey Trevino sits down with Karr Ingham, President of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, to discuss major developments impacting the oil and gas industry. -
1. EPA Regulatory Changes & Endangerment Finding Repeal
The conversation centers heavily on the recent rescission of the "endangerment finding" established by the Obama administration in 2009. Carl Ingham explains that while this repeal applies to mobile sources (vehicles and transportation), it does not yet affect methane regulation from oil and gas operations. The discussion highlights the tension between regulatory certainty and the need for sensible regulations that don't stifle domestic oil and gas production.
2. Regulatory Certainty vs. Administrative Pendulum Swings
A key concern is how regulations swing dramatically between administrations—Democrats implement one set of rules, Republicans undo them and implement others, creating instability. Ingham advocates for legislative solutions (passed by Congress and signed by the President) rather than executive orders, to provide stable, predictable rules that oil and gas companies can operate under.
3. The Texas Alliance of Energy Producers' Mission & Work
Ingham describes the Alliance's role as an upstream oil and gas trade association that:
Advocates for operators, producers, drilling companies, and service companies
Works at state level (legislature, Railroad Commission, TCEQ) and federal level (EPA, Capitol)
Focuses particularly on protecting small, private independent operators from damaging policy
4. Current Policy Issues in Texas
The Alliance is actively working on several regulatory matters:
Chapter 4 pit rule and waste management rewrite
Inactive well bill (concerns about forcing operators to spend cash on plugging rather than new production)
Produced water reporting system (potential cost and time burdens)
5. Texas's Dominance in U.S. Oil & Gas Production
Ingham emphasizes Texas's critical role:
42% of U.S. crude oil production
~50% of U.S. crude oil from the Permian Basin (including New Mexico)
25-30% of all natural gas production
Texas remains the most business and oil-gas friendly state
6. Comparison to International Operations
The discussion touches on how companies like Exxon demand "regulatory certainty" for overseas operations (e.g., Venezuela) but face unpredictable policy swings in the U.S., highlighting the need for similar stability domestically.
7. The Texas Alliance's Upcoming Annual Meeting
Ingham announces the April 13-14 event in Wichita Falls featuring a trade show, barbecue, golf tournament, and notably, a live band performance where Ingham plays drums—adding a personal touch to the industry advocacy work.
The overall theme is balancing regulatory stability, industry advocacy, and the need for legislative solutions to protect domestic oil and gas production while addressing legitimate concerns.
Connect with Karr on his LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karr-ingham-9b62333a/
Check out the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers at https://www.texasalliance.org/
Check out LFS Chemistry Sponsor of the Crude Truth here: https://lfschemistry.com/
Follow Rey on his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reytrevinoiii/
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