The American Exploration and Production Council (AXPC), EQT Corp., Halliburton Company, and Range Resources Corp. on April 3 hosted the U.S. Interior Secretary during a fracking site visit and roundtable to learn about the vital role of Pennsylvania oil and gas in meeting America’s growing energy needs.
“AXPC is proud to bring together industry leaders and policymakers to see firsthand how American innovation is driving record energy production,” said AXPC CEO Anne Bradbury. “With the right policies in place, we can continue to grow production, support good-paying jobs, and lower costs for families across the country — all while reducing emissions and enhancing our energy independence.”
AXPC and the companies hosted Interior Secretary and Chair of the National Energy Dominance Council Doug Burgum for a Marcellus shale field visit in Washington County, Pa., where the secretary toured Range Resources’ frac site.
During an accompanying roundtable discussion with regional energy executives, Burgum discussed how Trump’s executive orders are aimed at driving domestic energy growth and cutting costs for American consumers, and spoke to nearly 400 local energy workers about his department’s agenda to increase energy production and foster innovation in the industry, according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“EQT is proud to have joined energy leaders, local officials, our community, and employees in welcoming Secretary Burgum to western Pennsylvania — home to one of the world’s richest natural gas reserves,” said Toby Rice, president and CEO of EQT. “The administration’s decision to visit Appalachia within its first 100 days highlights its recognition of this region’s key role in securing America’s energy future.”
Additionally, the event emphasized the importance of smart energy policies that unleash American energy and featured Halliburton’s Zeus intelligent electric fracturing platform at the Range Resources site.
“Over the last 70 years, Halliburton developed and continues to evolve hydraulic fracturing while proudly manufacturing our equipment in Duncan, Oklahoma,” said Mark Richard, president, Western Hemisphere at Halliburton. “It’s through collaboration and our spirit of innovation that we have advanced fracturing operations to an intelligent, autonomous platform. The Zeus platform increases efficiency, maximizes production and helps unleash energy across the United States and around the world.”
During the discussion, participants also pointed out that achieving their goals depends on domestic energy policies that promote continued investment and production.
“The blue-collar spirit is why Pennsylvanians have always rolled up their sleeves when the world needed them — and we’re ready to do it again to help the U.S. meet its energy needs,” said Dennis Degner, CEO at Range Resources. “By leveraging American energy, we can drive American excellence and lead the way in powering innovation, strengthening national security, and advancing the next generation of manufacturing and technology.”