Published May 03, 2023
By Christine Reed
Students in the School of Energy Resources (SER) Energy Resource Management and Development (ERMD) degree program, once again, traveled to Casper, Wyo. in order to visit the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (WOGCC) for the April session.
An annual event, the WOGCC has opened its doors to students at the University of Wyoming for nearly a decade so that they may learn first-hand the duties and operations of the organization, sit in on examiner hearings, tour the facility, as well as observe the full Commission hearings.
“We are excited to continue this partnership with the School of Energy Resources and provide these experiences for the students in the EMRD program,” says WOGCC Oil and Gas Supervisor Tom Kropatsch. “The matters that are brought in front of the commission and examiners provide real life examples of the work they will be completing as they enter their careers and we are happy to share this opportunity with them.”
The inner-workings of the WOGCC play a critical role in the land profession and the education of students in the ERMD program. Students pursing the Professional Landman (PLM) concentration in particular, must have a concrete understanding of the land issues associated with oil and gas development and how they are managed and regulated.
“This is great experience for any student going into the energy industry,” says senior ERMD student Dayton Reese. “Especially if students are thinking about working in Wyoming, more often than not, they will likely become really familiar with the WOGCC. This trip is a great opportunity to get a jumpstart on that on knowledge, the processes involved, and the networking with others in the profession.”
A senior pursing the PLM concentration in the ERMD program, Reese also serves as the Media Relations Representative for the Registered Student Organization (RSO) on campus – the Student Chapter of Energy Resources.
As part of the club’s activities, it promotes the opportunity to attend the WOGCC to all interested students affiliated with the ERMD program, including students in the Energy and Environmental Systems (EES) concentration, the Energy Resource Management minor, and in the future will include the newly launched certificate programs in Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and Land Administration.
“This year, there were about thirteen students that opted to attend the April hearings,” adds Reese. “We got to sit in on some hearings in front of the commission as well as some non-contested hearings. It was very interesting to be part of the whole experience and learn exactly how a monthly meeting is operated. This was the second time I have attended and I cannot overstate how beneficial it is – I highly recommend it to other students.”
About the WOGCC Established in 1951 as part of the Conservation Act in Wyoming, the WOGCC is charged primarily with preventing the waste of oil and gas and protecting correlative rights for Wyoming. The WOGCC works alongside many other agencies in the state that also play a role in providing a balanced approach for the industry and Wyoming.
