Energy Forum
OnTexas: The Permian Basin Energy Forum
This event, hosted by Onterris, will bring together energy leaders from across the Permian Basin to discuss pressing environmental challenges. Hear from our experts on topics from navigating regulations to managing air quality, water resources, operational challenges, unplanned events, and asset retirement.
We hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of insightful discussions, practical takeaways, and networking with peers over lunch and a relaxed cocktail reception.
Feel free to invite your colleagues.
Event Details
Date:
Thursday, October 8th
Time:
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location:
Bush Convention Center - Midland
105 N Main St, Midland, TX 79701
Agenda:
12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking
Ray Cheatham, Energy Sector Leader
Welcome and brief introduction to Onterris.
1:00–1:40 PM | Beyond Everyday Compliance: Atypical Regulatory Considerations
Roberto Gasparini, PhD, CCM, Senior Principal
Harrison Reback, Partner, Baker Botts
Chris Thiele, Partner, Baker Botts
Regulatory considerations for events outside the norm of everyday operations. How do you prepare for your worst day?
1:40–1:50 PM | Break
1:50–2:30 PM | Breakout Sessions
TRACK A | Program Management of Plugging and Abandoning Well Assets
Troy Bernal, Director, Environmental Risk Assessment
Operational, regulatory, land and environmental liability considerations.
TRACK B | Texas OGI-Based LDAR Helps Improve Safety, Efficiency & ROI
Jared Metcalf, SVP of Air Emissions Services
How qualifying operators can use OGI to streamline LDAR inspections, improve field safety and increase program efficiency.
2:30–2:45 PM | Break
2:45–3:35 PM | Breakout Sessions
TRACK A | The Air We Breathe, the Water We Drink, and the Soil That Sustains Us
Dave Kempisty, Vice President, Technology • Research and Development
Where environmental liability is moving in the Permian Basin, and what treatment actually costs.
TRACK B | Keeping New and Modified Facilities on Schedule
Blake Ericson, Business Manager
Permitting, startup planning and emissions testing considerations that can prevent delays and compliance surprises.
3:35–3:50 PM | Break
3:50–4:30 PM | Client & Expert Panel
Moderator: Roberto Gasparini, PhD, CCM, Senior Principal
A moderated discussion exploring what’s ahead for the Permian Basin, connecting regulatory, operational and environmental considerations across the asset lifecycle.
4:30–5:30 PM | Cocktail Hour & Networking
We hope you’ll join us for an afternoon of insightful discussions, practical takeaways, and networking with peers over lunch and a relaxed cocktail reception.
Feel free to invite your colleagues.
Event Details
Date:
Thursday, October 8th
Time:
12:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Location:
Bush Convention Center - Midland
105 N Main St, Midland, TX 79701
Agenda:
12:00–1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking
Ray Cheatham, Energy Sector Leader
Welcome and brief introduction to Onterris.
1:00–1:40 PM | Beyond Everyday Compliance: Atypical Regulatory Considerations
Roberto Gasparini, PhD, CCM, Senior Principal
Harrison Reback, Partner, Baker Botts
Chris Thiele, Partner, Baker Botts
Regulatory considerations for events outside the norm of everyday operations. How do you prepare for your worst day?
1:40–1:50 PM | Break
1:50–2:30 PM | Breakout Sessions
TRACK A | Program Management of Plugging and Abandoning Well Assets
Troy Bernal, Director, Environmental Risk Assessment
Operational, regulatory, land and environmental liability considerations.
TRACK B | Texas OGI-Based LDAR Helps Improve Safety, Efficiency & ROI
Jared Metcalf, SVP of Air Emissions Services
How qualifying operators can use OGI to streamline LDAR inspections, improve field safety and increase program efficiency.
2:30–2:45 PM | Break
2:45–3:35 PM | Breakout Sessions
TRACK A | The Air We Breathe, the Water We Drink, and the Soil That Sustains Us
Dave Kempisty, Vice President, Technology • Research and Development
Where environmental liability is moving in the Permian Basin, and what treatment actually costs.
TRACK B | Keeping New and Modified Facilities on Schedule
Blake Ericson, Business Manager
Permitting, startup planning and emissions testing considerations that can prevent delays and compliance surprises.
3:35–3:50 PM | Break
3:50–4:30 PM | Client & Expert Panel
Moderator: Roberto Gasparini, PhD, CCM, Senior Principal
A moderated discussion exploring what’s ahead for the Permian Basin, connecting regulatory, operational and environmental considerations across the asset lifecycle.
4:30–5:30 PM | Cocktail Hour & Networking
This event is closed for further registrations.
We will send a direct email to those who have RSVP’d.
Meet the presenters
Expert witness
Blake Ericson
Blake has over a decade of experience in air quality management, engineering and regulatory testing, with a primary focus on power start-up and commissioning stack testing, as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) technologies. He also brings a strong background in financial forecasting, client growth strategy and performance analysis to support business expansion and customer retention.
Expert witness
Roberto Gasparini, PhD, CCM
Roberto began conducting air quality research in 2000 and has worked as an air quality consultant since 2005. Today, he focuses on legal, audit and enforcement support, helping clients and their counsel navigate specialized projects where technical accuracy and defensible analysis are critical. His work includes litigation support, due diligence, audits and interactions and negotiations with regulatory agencies. Roberto has also testified as an expert witness on air quality matters, including emissions estimates and air dispersion modeling.
Expert witness
Troy Bernal
Troy has more than 25 years of experience specializing in environmental risk assessment, emergency spill response and remediation. At Onterris, he leads environmental risk evaluation efforts, drawing on deep expertise in remediation and human health assessment to support informed, high-impact decision-making.
Sector lead
Ray Cheatham
Ray brings more than 35 years of experience in the energy and environmental consulting space, supporting major industrial and energy organizations. His expertise includes carbon capture and sequestration, site characterization and remediation, corporate environmental program development, capital project permitting, facility compliance and legislative and regulatory strategy.
Expert witness
Jared Metcalf
Jared Metcalf has over 20 years of Oil & Gas Industry experience. He currently Heads our Air Emissions Services. With a B. Sc. in Industrial Technology and Instrumentation Jared provides logistical and operational support to Onterris USA OGI crews. He is our lead contact for interacting with clients in both office and field settings. Jared’s extensive experience in providing professional fugitive emission monitoring services across North America and internationally has given him the expertise to help our clients meet their compliance/voluntary requirements.
Expert witness
Dave Kempisty, PhD, PE
Dave is a licensed engineer with over 20 years of experience in water treatment and environmental remediation. Dave focuses on the use of novel technologies for the removal of emerging contaminants such as PFAS and carcinogenic volatile organics from the environment. Before this, he spent 22 years in the United States Air Force as an environmental engineer and occupational health consultant.
Expert witness
Harrison Reback
Harrison Reback is an experienced Clean Air Act lawyer with a practice focused on state and federal requirements applicable to upstream and midstream operators in Texas, New Mexico, North Dakota, and Colorado.
Expert witness
Chris Thiele
Chris Thiele is a Partner in the firm’s Environmental, Safety and Incident Response group. His experience includes serving for more than ten years as in-house counsel at Koch Industries and, most recently, as Senior Vice President and legal counsel for an independent midstream energy infrastructure development company where he led regulatory, environmental, and governmental affairs and FERC and other permitting efforts for the company’s natural gas pipeline and related midstream infrastructure projects.