Very seldom does industry take on industry. In fact, several executives and CEO’s have said in interviews on The Crude Life media network that the biggest weakness the oil and gas industry has is “herd mentality” and that sometimes they push bad ideas too far. And sometimes they keep bad leaders in positions of power too long.
Ever since Fall of 2019, small business owners and independent oil and gas producers began questioning the motivations and leadership of appointed industry leaders.
Starting last July, oil companies like Whiting Petroleum started filing bankruptcy, more followed. And more. Many are upset that appointed leaders are using industry associations, councils and organizations for special interests within political parties and candidates, rather than companies within industry.
Some began to notice executive directors and appointed leaders were spending more time and resources on companies filing bankruptcy than companies trying to navigate the industry within its traditional work ethic.
Only to discover the power funnel created by industry groups have been picking winners and losers based on political access, company size and legacy.
New Mexico was the first to strike publicly. A group of oil and gas producers have called for resignation of Ryan Flynn, executive director of the New Mexico Oil & Gas Association. Flynn was also a former Cabinet secretary for a Susana Martinez, a Republican governor.
Here is a copy of the letter sent to the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association:
The New Mexico Board of Directors send out a statement supporting Flynn.
“The Board of Directors stands firmly behind Ryan Flynn and the work that NMOGA has done to advance the oil and gas industry in these challenging times,” the board said in a joint statement. “We will continue to work with federal, state and local leaders, regardless of their political affiliation, who share our commitment to New Mexico’s economy, schools and communities.”
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