AUSTIN—Thirteen Texans will play a critical role in combating the petroleum theft that is plaguing the Texas energy industry by serving on the State Taskforce on Petroleum Theft (STOPTHEFT), the Railroad Commission of Texas reports.

The new task force was established under Senate Bill 494, which passed with almost unanimous support during the 89th Legislature, to study and make recommendations aimed at preventing the theft of petroleum products in the state. Board members were selected from a pool of applicants. They include six representatives from oil and gas companies:

• Allan Bloxsom of Fort Apache Energy;
• Carey Matthews of Diamondback Energy;
• Clete Buckaloo of Occidental Petroleum;
• Hollie Lamb of Ring Energy;
• Judy Stark of SNW Operating Company; and
• Tony Dickie of ConocoPhillips.

Also representing the industry are four association leaders:

• Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association;
• Karr Ingham, president and petroleum economist for the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers;
• Michael Lozano, who heads government and public affairs for the Permian Basin Petroleum Association; and
• Tulsi Oberbeck, vice president of government and regulatory affairs for the Texas Oil & Gas Association.

The remaining members come from law enforcement. They are:

• Nathan Jeronimus of the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
• Stan Parker, the sheriff for Howard County; and
• Timothy Murphy of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Additionally, Bill Keffer, a professor of energy law at Texas Tech University, and Cole Harrison, the founder of independent Fiesta Energy, will serve as advisors to the task force.

Texas Railroad Commission Chairman Jim Wright will chair STOPTHEFT, the RRC notes.

“According to the Dallas Federal Reserve, more than 40% of oil and gas operators indicated that theft has impacted their operations in the past year. Petroleum theft not only impacts oil and gas producers, it also impacts our state coffers—and it must stop,” Wright states. “I look forward to working with the STOPTHEFT members to identify and recommend improvements to the legislature that will protect our natural resources and Texas taxpayers from further harm.”

The RRC says the task force’s responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing product theft laws and regulations in other U.S. jurisdictions as well as international laws;
• Analyzing the impact of theft on state tax collections and the economy;
• Making recommendations on law enforcement training to combat petroleum product theft; and
• Preparing a report to submit to the governor and the legislature.

“Oil field theft has become increasingly organized and sophisticated, costing Texans millions and threatening the integrity of our state’s energy sector,” says RRC Commissioner Christi Craddick. “The STOPTHEFT Task Force brings together law enforcement, industry leaders, and local officials to coordinate a comprehensive strategy to stop these crimes before they happen.”

According to a post on the RRC’s Instagram account, the task force held its first meeting on Oct. 29.