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Oilman. Advocate. Dealmaker. Pioneer. There is no shortage of words to describe Scott D. Sheffield or the influence he’s had on the American oil and gas industry. Sheffield is widely recognized as a master dealmaker, but he’s cemented his reputation as a bona fide oil patch tycoon. Pioneer Resources, the company he founded and the belle of the Permian ball, agreed in 2023 to sell to Exxon Mobil in a deal valued at around $65 billion. In this Super DUG Opening Keynote, Sheffield will discuss global energy supply and demand dynamics, the potential impact of $50/bbl oil prices, the role of private E&Ps now and in the future, and the impact of Trump Administration energy policies and cabinet appointments. 

Herb Vogel, President and CEO of SM Energy, is leading the company with a strategic focus on efficient drilling and production in key oil and gas plays, including the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale. Under Vogel’s leadership, SM Energy is advancing its operations by optimizing well performance and increasing capital discipline to ensure sustainable production growth. Looking ahead, SM Energy plans to continue expanding its drilling activities in high-return areas, prioritizing cost-effective strategies and a strong emphasis on operational efficiency to drive long-term shareholder value.

Tim Rezvan, Managing Director of KeyBanc, will discuss the macro-outlook on U.S. shale oil production and pricing, highlighting how the sector’s efficiency gains have led to stronger production growth despite volatile market conditions. This session will focus on the ongoing balance between supply growth from shale plays and the global demand for oil, particularly in light of geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Rezvan will also explore the pricing dynamics, noting that while U.S. shale remains a key contributor to global oil supply, producers increasingly prioritize capital discipline and returns over aggressive expansion, which could influence future price trends.
 

Energy Transfer is one of the leading midstream operators in the U.S., with approximately 14,500 miles of crude oil and natural gas pipeline located across 20 states. This extensive pipeline footprint, combined with approximately 65 million barrels of storage capacity at its terminals, enables Energy Transfer to ensure flow assurance to the U.S. energy industry. In this exclusive discussion, Energy Transfer Co-CEO Tom Long will discuss the company’s latest projects and development, macro trends in the U.S. midstream industry and share his perspective on the role of U.S. energy production.

This session will explore the challenges and strategies for oil and gas companies seeking funding in today’s tight capital environment. Experts will discuss how limited access to traditional financing is driving companies to adapt, with a greater emphasis on operational efficiency, strategic partnerships, and alternative sources of capital. As investors remain cautious, the session will highlight how companies can navigate these constraints to fund exploration, production, and infrastructure projects while ensuring strong returns for stakeholders.

According to current forecasts, the Bakken Shale play is expected to grow in 2025, with analysts predicting a steady increase in oil production driven by improved technology and consolidation of assets, particularly with Chevron's pending acquisition of Hess's Bakken operations. The Bakken Shale remains one of the most prolific oil plays in the U.S., with continued production growth driven by drilling technology and infrastructure advances. While the Bakken sees steady output, the nearby D-J Basin is also experiencing increased production, which is forecasted to further boost overall energy output through 2025. As both regions evolve, the increased oil production in the Bakken and D-J basins is expected to play a crucial role in meeting rising domestic and international energy demand, with strong investment continuing to flow into both plays.

The founder of Continental Resources, Harold Hamm has long advocated for energy-secure U.S. policy, developing oil and gas resources at home rather than reliance on supplies from unfriendly sources abroad. With a new U.S.-energy-first White House now that is also quickly shredding decades of overbuilt red tape, Hamm's lifelong work has culminated with a U.S. "energy has" victory. Learn here about what this win will bring to generations of Americans and allies alike.

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Matador Resources is one of the leading unconventional oil and gas developers in the U.S., with its primary focus on the Wolfcamp and Bone Spring plays in the Delaware Basin in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas. Matador also operates in the Eagle Ford and Haynesville Shale. In 2024, Matador Resources enjoyed record annual average production of more than 170,000 boe/d while generating more than $800 million of adjusted free cash flow. In this fireside chat, CEO Joe Foran will share more about the company’s leading position, its development plans for both the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford, as well as its outlook on the M&A landscape.

This session will explore the emerging opportunities in newly discovered plays within the Permian Basin, which are showing promising production potential. Recent drilling activity in areas like the Northern and Western Permian Basin, as well as the Midcontinent, is revealing high-quality reserves, with operators tapping into previously underexplored zones to expand production. These new plays, along with advancements in well technologies and reservoir management, are setting new benchmarks for some shale oil basins, further solidifying unconventional development as a cornerstone of U.S. oil and gas production.

Improved efficiencies in extended-reach laterals are transforming well designs in the Permian Basin, allowing operators to tap into previously inaccessible reserves and enhance production rates. By optimizing extended reach techniques, producers and service providers are reducing drilling costs and increasing the productivity of each well, leading to more efficient use of capital and resources. These advancements contribute to significant production improvements, allowing operators to meet growing demand while maintaining strong returns on investment in the Permian’s highly competitive landscape.
 

Blackbeard Operating holds 100,000 net acres and more than 2,000 operated wells—as well as more than 10 years of undeveloped drilling inventory—in the Permian Basin’s Central Basin Platform. Blackbeard’s position is oil-weighted and primarily operated, contiguous and held by production.  A focus on the Central Basin Platform’s shallow conventional and unconventional targets allows Blackbeard more economic access to deeper reservoirs.  In this operator session, CEO Kaleb Smith will share more about the Blackbeard story, including why the often-overlooked Central Basin Platform is ideal for the company’s development plans.

This Eagle Ford operator session will provide perspective on drilling and production across the South Texas play, highlighting the strategies and innovations driving efficiency in one of the U.S.'s most established shale plays. Operators are focusing on optimizing well designs, increasing lateral lengths, and implementing advanced technologies to boost production and reduce costs. With ongoing investments in infrastructure and digital solutions, operators are poised to enhance production capabilities and increase returns, making Eagle Ford an attractive opportunity for continued growth and development in 2025.