WGA Speaker Luncheon ~ Tim McCutcheon, Red Peak Resources

The lecture examines how zone permeability, fluid content, formation pressure—including reservoir recharge prediction—and caprock integrity inform subsurface isolation requirements and abandonment barrier placement. It addresses technical and operational challenges of well abandonment, including defining key isolation parameters when data is limited, what happens when an abandonment plan proves unworkable in practice, and cost implications and optimization opportunities. Case studies demonstrate collaboration between subsurface specialists, well engineers, and operators to develop a robust subsurface basis of design for abandonment. The presentation covers effective decision-making, risk-mitigation strategies, the benefits of engaging a subsurface team throughout the project, and a data-driven, risk-based approach to well decommissioning.

The technical program examines Great Basin geology and mineral deposits, including their strategic importance to U.S. mineral independence. It includes technical talks, keynote presentations, exhibits, professional and student posters, core shacks, field trips, and short courses. Technical sessions cover Mesozoic geology and ore deposits; exploration technology; Paleocene-to-late-Eocene geology and Carlin-type deposits; copper; epithermal deposits in Nevada and the Walker Lane; carbonate replacement deposits; ghost mineral districts and exploration blind spots; lithium; critical minerals; and the Western Cordillera. Field-trip subjects include hydrothermal gold systems, Walker Lane epithermal deposits, Yerington copper, Nevada lithium, Carlin-type deposits, the Comstock gold and silver district, and Lake Tahoe’s volcanic origins. Short courses address ore and alteration features in epithermal-to-porphyry systems and mineral resource estimation for public reporting, including geostatistics, data QA/QC, variogram analysis, interpolation, resource classification, and reporting under S-K 1300, NI 43-101, or JORC. All attendees are welcome, including nonmembers.

Examines how casing design has evolved from early load-case frameworks and why traditional tubular stress analysis can fall short in complex wells. Topics include HPHT wells, extended-reach drilling, multistage-fractured unconventionals, subsea wells with sealed annuli and trapped-annular risk, CO₂ injection for carbon capture and storage, and super-hot geothermal wells. The presentation addresses how incomplete or oversimplified pressure, temperature, and load descriptions contribute to tubular failures; the role of rigorous load cases in consistent design; and engineering judgment, model selection, and improved load modeling across well lifecycles.

The presentation covers the Springer Complex, a historic tungsten-producing skarn deposit in the Eugene Mountains north of Mill City. Exploration work includes re-logging and re-assaying historic core, drilling for near-surface definition and deeper exploration, and evaluating scheelite-hosted tungsten and other potentially economic minerals. It also examines sheeted quartz veins, molybdenite and chalcopyrite associated with granodiorite stocks, including tungsten outside the skarn. The site has a permitted mill and a stated path toward tungsten production.

NAPE Summit combines an energy prospect and property expo with a business conference and expo hubs covering oil and gas, critical minerals, renewable energy, offshore activity, minerals and non-operating interests, data centers, and bitcoin mining. The Critical Minerals Hub addresses exploration, extraction, processing, and regulatory, market, and supply-chain factors; other hubs cover energy and digital infrastructure, data-center power demands, and offshore regulation, technology, and leasing. The Energy Business Conference has business and technical tracks. Its agenda covers U.S. and global energy-market outlooks; grid capacity and AI-driven electricity demand; AI adoption, scaling, and governance in energy; and how conflict, trade disputes, cyber threats, supply-chain disruptions, strategic minerals, and energy security affect markets and investment. Technical sessions address AI in subsurface workflows—including geospatial tools, OSDU and harmonized datasets, and seismic analysis—and emerging opportunities in mature basins, including direct lithium extraction from Arkansas’s Smackover Formation, geothermal co-production in the Bakken, helium and hydrogen resources, and horizontal development. The expo also features prospect presentations and a government affairs session.

Sessions address oilfield insurance, the federal outlook for upstream oil and gas, the 90th Texas Legislative Session, legal issues relating to “0000b/c,” and a skeptical view of the energy transition. A state and federal affairs panel covers the 2026 election results. The program also includes a keynote address from John Calce, Chairman, Founder, and CEO of America First Refining.

The biennial symposium focuses on proven and emerging technologies for oil and natural gas development and production. Technical papers address commercially viable solutions to drilling, completion, and production engineering challenges. The 2027 theme, “Fueling the Future,” examines the industry’s role in providing low-cost, reliable energy as energy sources diversify. The program also includes events supporting a lower-carbon future, with goals of improving well and program economics, extending commercial success, and addressing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations.

A conference and trade show focused on the Bakken and Williston Basin, featuring industry speakers and vendor exhibits.

The program covers the current state of lignite, new technologies and innovation, future growth and job opportunities, federal energy policy for North Dakota, legislative campaigns, grid needs, lignite research and development, critical-minerals research, and data-center opportunities for coal country. Mine and plant updates include Dakota Gasification Company; Antelope Valley Station/Leland Olds; Milton R. Young Plant; Coyote Station; Coal Creek Station; Coteau Properties Company; Falkirk Mining Company; Coyote Creek Mining Company; and BNI Coal, Ltd. The agenda also includes a Lignite Council awards presentation for reclamation, safety, distinguished service, contractors and suppliers, public service, and lignite ambassadors. Mine & Plant Updates and Social & Individual Company Sessions are marked members-only. The stated intended audience includes company employees, mine and plant workers, contractors, suppliers, industry partners, students, educators, retirees, and industry supporters.