Those who work in the oilfields take pride in what they do

Texas crude oil and natural gas have been flowing in record amounts, serving Texas, the nation and international consumers.

But it still takes blood, sweat and muscle to keep that energy flowing, even in this high-tech age.

"I feel the Natural Gas Services team has a high priority on keeping gas flowing from wells," said Paul Novak, the company's district area supervisor for the Midland Basin/San Angelo area.

As area supervisor, he told the Reporter-Telegram, his first responsibility is the safety and well-being of the natural gas compressor mechanics he oversees.

"Each day is a different challenge, each day is a different task," he continued. "I enjoy what I do as area supervisor. I help customers and I also help the mechanics when I can step in to help."

His crew "takes great pride in our work, in customer satisfaction and supporting the greatest country in the world," he said.

Jeff Horton, drilling superintendent with H&P, oversees five rigs from north of Midland to south of Odessa and into the Delaware Basin. He oversees four crews of six members each.

"I love what I do," he told the Reporter-Telegram. "The pride we have - it's a tough job working on a rig. We take pride in doing the job right, in doing it efficiently, in building a strong team. We also take pride in knowing what we do supports the country. Driving a car, turning lights on, it's knowing we helped do that."

After 18 years with the company, Horton now works Monday through Friday - unless he's needed on a weekend - after years of working 14 days on, 14 days off.

Those long stretches of time together turn crew members into a family, he said.

"You spend 14 days on a rig, sleeping on the rig, eating on the rig, you get to know each other like a family. I know their families, they know my family," he said.

That time together also builds personal relationships that let him have difficult conversations when needed or tell when something is off with one of the crew members.

Horton said he has seen drilling technology evolve from "where it was tongs and manual labor to now we're introducing new technologies."

Hands-free tools create a safer environment for his crews, he said.

"Though technology and artificial intelligence, we can push a button to operate the equipment. I don't have to have the guys out around that heavy equipment," he said.

"I love what I do. I love how it affects the community," said Billy Parks, district manager at Liberty Energy.

"Without the men and women who do what we do, we couldn't be the country we are," he said.

Liberty's newly opened Odessa facility houses 1,500 employees, and it's Parks' job to oversee the managers who supervise those employees.

"There's a lot of people who work here and I wish everyone could see how they are the heart and soul of the industry," Parks said. "At the end of the day, without this industry, I don't know where we'd be."

Jason Price, chief commercial officer at Wallstreet Sand, said providing frac sand for completions is not glamorous but is essential.

"What we do every day out here contributes to keeping American energy production strong, which matters not just for Texas but for the country as a whole. A strong domestic energy sector means more stability, more jobs and more opportunity for everyday people, and that is something we take seriously," he told the Reporter-Telegram by email. "We are proud of the role Wallstreet Sand plays in that story. This is meaningful work and the people doing it deserve to be recognized for it."

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.