KURT ABRAHAM, Editor-in-Chief
Fig. 1. This year’s IPAA Annual Meeting will be held at the historic Williamsburg Lodge. Image: IPAA.
Now in its 96th year of representing U.S. independent producers and defending their interests in Washington, the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) is preparing to hold its Annual Meeting at the Williamsburg Lodge in Williamsburg, Virginia, June 17-19, Fig. 1. As such, it reflects a crucial time for U.S. independents but also a new chapter in the association’s Annual Meeting.
OVERVIEW
After the election of Donald Trump as the 47th U.S. President last November, his new administration has worked in the first four months to positively alter the federal regulatory structure. This should brighten the outlook for domestic independent oil and gas producers after four years of negative policy moves by the Biden administration. Indeed, Trump administration officials are busily working to clean up and streamline leasing and rules onshore in the Bureau of Land Management, as well as improving and expanding lease sales offshore, administered by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. And then there are all the onerous, overburdened rules that the EPA is looking to unravel, to encourage greater drilling and production activity.
Fig. 2. IPAA President & CEO Jeff Eshelman. Image: IPAA.
Meanwhile, IPAA’s Annual Meeting is entering a new era this year. The association’s board and staff made a significant decision after last fall’s Annual Meeting to move the event to the summer. Some of the rationale for this is that historically, IPAA’s meetings in the summer have averaged greater attendance than the fall versions. Another significant reason was to make the Annual Meeting more family-friendly by holding it after children are let out of school for the summer. Yet another thought in shifting the timing was to have less potential conflict with other industry events that are held in the spring and fall. And IPAA made a great choice to kick off the summer timing by holding the Annual Meeting in historically significant, recreationally friendly Williamsburg, Va.
“IPAA is excited to come together with our membership in Williamsburg, Va., for our 96th Annual Meeting,” said IPAA President & CEO Jeff Eshelman, Fig. 2. “Williamsburg is deeply embedded in our country’s history and fabric, not unlike oil and natural gas producers, whose ingenuity has made modern life possible and made America the energy superpower of the world. The federal regulatory and legislative environment affecting the oil and natural gas producers is rapidly changing—meeting attendees will hear the latest on the issues that affect their business along with other industry financial, geopolitical and technology trends.”
THE CURRENT REGULATORY CLIMATE
It has been a busy month for officials in Washington addressing energy and budget issues, with a major focus on completing the budget reconciliation process. The United States House of Representatives continued its efforts to approve a comprehensive budget reconciliation package by Memorial Day and actually achieved that vote by a 215-214 vote in the wee hours of Thursday, May 22. Back on May 13, both the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Energy and Commerce Committee held marathon mark-up sessions and approved legislation that will enact sweeping tax and policy changes espoused by President Trump.
IPAA has worked closely with these committees, as well as the House Natural Resources Committee, to ensure that the voice of independent producers is heard during these debates. IPAA ensured that industry tax treatment, such as intangible drilling costs, and percentage depletion, were both protected, as well as shielding carried interest deductions for its members. IPAA was disappointed that the House Energy and Commerce Committee reconciliation proposal did not include a full repeal of the Methane Emissions Reduction Program (MERP), including the methane tax. However, included within the bill is a 10-year delay of the MERP. Nevertheless, IPAA has consistently urged, and will continue to argue, for a full repeal of the statute.
Fig. 3. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) pulled off yet another legislative miracle by shepherding the Budget Reconciliation package through the House on May 22. Image: Official portrait, U.S. Congress.
Once all 11 House committees working on the comprehensive legislation completed their legislative mark-ups, the House Budget Committee brought the comprehensive measure to the House floor. Accordingly, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) managed to complete action on the full Budget Reconciliation package on May 22 with the aforementioned vote, Fig. 3. The legislative process for completing President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” continues to unfold. Now that the House has completed its work, the Senate will take up the bill and move it through that body. IPAA expects a busy summer to unfold as negotiations continue to complete this legislation. Republican leaders in Congress hope to send a finished bill to President Trump for his signature by the 4th of July.
You can see IPAA’s letter in support of the bill here: https://www.ipaa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/IPAA-Support-Letter-One-Big-Beautiful-Bill-Act.pdf
ANNUAL MEETING AGENDA
Fig. 4. This year’s keynote speaker will be former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV), a longtime advocate for the U.S. oil and gas industry. Image: Official portrait, U.S. Congress.
This year’s Annual Meeting will offer plenty of sessions and get-togethers to both inform and entertain attendees. What follows are the major portions of this year’s meeting.
Family Programming. As an added bonus to this year’s agenda, IPAA is offering a unique opportunity for registered guests to enjoy special area discounts, as well as a private session with historic reenactors, including a “Queens Tea” refreshment break with “Lord Dunmore” (the last royal Governor of Virginia), a colonial textiles and spinning demonstration, and a colonial children’s program.
Prayer Breakfast. This popular session will feature “The Early Presidents: Lessons in Problem Solving” by Dr. Timothy D. Holder. Dr. Holder is a respected history professor, author, podcast, and actor, with a Ph.D. in history and master’s degrees in both history and theology. He teaches at Liberty University and has authored 18 books on leadership, faith, and the presidency.
Keynote Address: Conversation with former Senator Joe Manchin. IPAA is honored to have former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) confirmed as this year’s keynote speaker, Fig. 4. IPAA has also extended formal invitations to members of the Trump administration to participate in this year’s program.
GENERAL SESSIONS
Fig. 5. Data Centers and Their Energy Needs will be just one of a number of sessions addressing specific operational issues affecting independents. Image: IPAA.
Data Centers and Their Energy Needs. With the onboarding of, and expanded need for, data centers across the U.S., extreme energy demands are going to be required. This panel (Fig. 5) will focus on a full scope of experts from supplier to the end-user and the infrastructure and permitting requirements in-between.
Council for a Secure America. The geopolitical impact that the conflict in Gaza is having on energy security in America and Israel is the core of this session. The Council for a Secure America (CSA) has been at the forefront of educating key congressional, energy, and state-level leaders on the geopolitical, energy and security implications of the lsrael-HAMAS conflict. CSA will provide an in-depth analysis of the conflict and the implications for energy producers in the United States and around the globe.
Telling Our Story. In this session, a family perspective is offered regarding the future of the American oil and natural gas industry, Fig. 6. In the spirit of last year’s “Then and Now” panel, Miller Energy Co-Founder Drew Martin and Miller Investment Partner Kelly Miller will share their perspectives of the industry. Martin and Miller will not only discuss their past experiences, but their thoughts on the future of the industry for small/family-owned businesses.
Fig. 6. The Telling Our Story session is in the spirit last year’s “Then and Now” panel (pictured here), which was very popular with attendees. Image: IPAA.
Tariffs Translated. Join representatives from the National Foreign Trade Council and The Heritage Foundation, as they discuss international trade, and the impact that tariffs might have on future markets for American oil and natural gas.
What Directors Think (Presented by FTI Consulting). Activists are voicing their frustrations over strategy, capital allocation, and proposed M&A. Attendees will learn from experts with an “in the trenches” perspective to help them mount a defense and preserve their right to operate and access capital markets.
So, given the lineup outlined above, IPAA has an outstanding agenda teed up for this year’s Annual Meeting. Members and others with specific questions can contact Senior Director of Marketing, Programs & Development Beth Stockner at bstockner@ipaa.org. Information on Registration can be found at https://www.ipaa.org/events/annual-meeting-2025/
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