Permian Basin Petroleum Association

What Permian Basin Petroleum Association does

The Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1961, headquartered in Midland, Texas, with additional offices in Austin (Texas state capital) and Santa Fe (New Mexico state capital). It is self-described as the largest regional oil and gas association in the United States, serving approximately 1,000 member companies that produce oil and gas in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. Member companies span the full size spectrum — from sole proprietors and small private operators through majors including Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Diamondback Energy, ExxonMobil, and Occidental Petroleum — organized into a six-tier dues structure ranging from $400 (Individual) to $100,000 annually (President's Circle, for producers of 25+ MMBOE/year).

PBPA's core offering is advocacy, education, and member services rather than a technology product. The association files comments and engages in litigation before federal and state regulators (EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, BLM, Railroad Commission of Texas, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, New Mexico Environment Department) and legislators in Texas and New Mexico, and publishes the monthly Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine (since 2006 via Zachry Publications) and The Standard newsletter. Member engagement is anchored by recurring events including the Annual Meeting (64th scheduled for September 16–17, 2026), Top Hand Award Banquet, Spring Swing Golf Tournament, and Clay Shoot & Oil Patch Pit King Challenge. Operations are run by a small staff led by President Ben Shepperd and Executive Vice President Stephen Robertson.

Revenue is generated entirely through annual membership dues billed on a calendar-year basis, with renewal invoices typically issued in November. The association has no disclosed funding rounds, no acquisitions, no technology revenue, and no parent or subsidiary entities; governance is provided by a board of directors elected from the membership. Recent notable outcomes include an August 2025 federal court ruling vacating the 2022 Lesser Prairie-Chicken ESA listing — a result PBPA pursued for years alongside the State of Texas.

Name

Permian Basin Petroleum Association

Legal name

Permian Basin Petroleum Association

Website

https://pbpa.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Permian Basin Petroleum Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association founded in 1961 representing approximately 1,000 oil and gas producer and service companies across the Permian Basin, providing legislative and regulatory advocacy, education, and member events funded by tiered annual membership dues.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Midland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: The PBPA generates revenue primarily through annual membership dues billed on a calendar year basis. Membership tiers include Individual ($400/year), Gusher ($1,100/year for small private companies), Wildcat ($2,750/year for growing companies), Black Gold ($5,500/year for established active companies), Permian Vanguard ($11,000-$55,000/year based on production), and President's Circle ($27,500-$100,000/year for industry leaders producing 25+ MMBOE/yr).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

PBPA is a non-profit trade association providing tiered memberships (Individual through President's Circle) to approximately 1,000 oil and gas companies operating in the Permian Basin of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico. The association delivers legislative and regulatory advocacy, safety and education programs, networking events (Annual Meeting, golf and clay shoot tournaments, Top Hand Award Banquet), and member publications in exchange for annual membership dues.

Product overview

The Permian Basin Petroleum Association (PBPA) is a non-profit industry trade association serving the oil and gas industry of West Texas and Southeastern New Mexico since 1961. The organization operates as a membership-based association with a tiered structure (Individual, Gusher, Wildcat, Black Gold, Permian Vanguard, and President's Circle) ranging from $400 to $100,000 annually. PBPA provides advocacy services, publishes the PB Oil & Gas Magazine and The Standard newsletter, hosts events including the Annual Meeting, Top Hand Award, Spring Swing Golf Tournament, and Clay Shoot, and offers educational programs. The association does not offer a traditional technology product but rather member services focused on legislative representation, industry education, networking, and recognition programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine (PBO&G): Official monthly publication of PBPA, published by Zachry Publications, providing expert insight from the association's perspective on oil and gas industry matters.

Products and services

• Individual Membership Entry-level annual membership at $400 for sole proprietors, employees, and supporters of the petroleum industry. Includes voting rights for one person, magazine subscriptions, e-updates, networking, and discounted event registration.
• Gusher Membership Mid-level annual membership at $1,100 for smaller privately held companies. Benefits cover two company representatives plus legislative updates and member-only website features.
• Wildcat Membership Growth-focused annual membership at $2,750 for companies with an expanding footprint. Benefits cover four representatives, board member eligibility, and committee participation.
• Black Gold Membership Premium annual membership at $5,500 for established active companies. Benefits cover ten representatives, policymaker access, VIP receptions, and special event recognition.
• Permian Vanguard Membership Executive-level annual membership at $11,000–$55,000 based on production levels (1–24 MMBOE/year). Includes exclusive input into legislative/regulatory policy and policy-making participation.
• President's Circle Membership Highest annual membership tier at $27,500–$100,000 for industry leaders producing 25+ MMBOE/year or established service companies. Maximum policy influence and VIP access.
• Permian Basin Oil & Gas Magazine (PBO&G) Official monthly magazine of PBPA, published by Zachry Publications in partnership with the association. PBPA board members and staff contribute articles providing expert insight on industry matters. Free to members; $2 per copy for non-members.
• Top Hand Award Program The highest honor distributed annually by PBPA, acknowledging individual contributions to the industry and Permian Basin communities, and including an annual banquet.
• Annual Meeting Annual conference bringing together industry professionals, featuring speakers, panels, and networking — the association's signature member event.
• Spring Swing Golf Tournament Annual golf tournament networking event for PBPA members.
• Clay Shoot & Oil Patch Pit King Challenge Annual clay shooting competition combined with the Oil Patch Pit King Challenge for PBPA member engagement.
• Advocacy Services Legislative and regulatory advocacy across all government levels — including monitored policy tracking, formal comment submissions, and direct policymaker engagement impacting Permian Basin operations.
• Education & Safety Programs Educational resources, safety training, and support services for Permian Basin oil and gas professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Secured legal victory vacating the 2022 Endangered Species Act listing of the Lesser Prairie-Chicken through years-long effort with State of Texas

Named customers10 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint advocacy coalition partner on New Mexico legislative and regulatory issues affecting the oil and gas industry. Collaborated on opposition to SB4 (Clear Horizons and Greenhouse Gas Emissions), joint comments on regulatory matters, and shared industry representation in New Mexico.
• Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on New Mexico oil and gas advocacy, including joint opposition to Senate Bill 4 on climate emissions and regulatory engagement in Santa Fe.
• Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint statements on critical Texas energy issues including the Permian Basin Reliability Plan approval by PUC, methane regulations, and legislative priorities.
• Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners (TIPRO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership on Texas legislative and regulatory matters, joint industry letters and advocacy efforts.
• Texas Alliance of Energy Producers (TAEP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint statement partner on Permian Basin Reliability Plan approval by the Public Utility Commission of Texas.
• Western Energy AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partner on comments regarding Enhancement of Survival and Incidental Take Permits under the Endangered Species Act.
• State of TexascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in legal efforts against Endangered Species Act listings, including the Lesser Prairie-Chicken listing challenge. The State of Texas joined PBPA in litigation efforts.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreOthersRegulatory engagement on methane emissions rules, flaring phase-out guidance, waste emissions charge (WEC), and greenhouse gas reporting program revisions. PBPA submits formal comments on EPA rulemakings affecting Permian Basin operators.
• Texas Railroad CommissioncoreOthersOngoing engagement on state regulatory matters including emergency response proposals, pipeline regulations, disposal well rules, and inactive well management (SB 1150).
• Railroad Commission of TexascoreOthersEngagement on regulatory amendments to Title 16 TAC rules, pipeline safety requirements, and permitting for commercial disposal facilities.
• New Mexico Environment DepartmentminorOthersEngagement on Air Quality Bureau permit and construction fees (EIB 24-12), PFAS rules, and New Mexico Oil and Gas Law regulatory matters.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)minorOthersFormal comments submitted on BLM's Conservation Rule and Landscape Health proposed rulemaking.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)coreOthersActive engagement on endangered species listings including Lesser Prairie-Chicken and Dunes Sagebrush Lizard. PBPA submitted formal comments and participated in litigation challenging listings.
• ERCOT / Public Utility Commission of TexascoreOthersJoint advocacy for the Permian Basin Reliability Plan addressing electricity transmission infrastructure for the region. PBPA supports extending transmission service to areas where mineral resources are located.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Western Energy Alliance: Western U.S. upstream trade association with strong overlap on ESA listings and federal land-access advocacy. Coalition partner of PBPA; directly comparable as a multi-state upstream advocacy organization serving similar independent and major producers.
• Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA): Statewide Texas oil & gas trade association that partners with PBPA on Permian-specific advocacy and methane regulation. Most directly comparable as a regional/state trade group serving overlapping Texas upstream members with similar advocacy and event-based engagement models.
• Texas Alliance of Energy Producers (TAEP): Texas-based trade association for oil & gas producers, royalty owners, and service companies. Coalition partner of PBPA on Permian Reliability Plan advocacy; comparable in mission, tiered membership structure, and event-based engagement.
• Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico (IPANM): New Mexico-focused independent producer trade group that partners with PBPA on Santa Fe legislative and regulatory advocacy. Highly comparable as a regional upstream trade association serving overlapping Permian-touching operators and service companies.
• Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners (TIPRO): Texas statewide trade association for independent E&P companies and royalty owners. Partners with PBPA on joint advocacy letters and legislative priorities; comparable in mission, member profile, and revenue model.
• New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA): Primary New Mexico state oil & gas association that jointly advocates with PBPA on Permian issues including SB4 and NMED rulemakings. Operates the same trade-association model in the eastern New Mexico portion of the same basin PBPA covers.

Others

• American Petroleum Institute (API):

Broad incumbents

• Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA): National U.S. upstream trade association representing independent producers. Comparable business model and advocacy focus at a broader national scale; relevant as a higher-level peer where policy work overlaps with PBPA's federal engagement.

Regional players

• Oklahoma Energy Producers (OEP) / OIPA: Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association, the analogous state-level upstream trade group for the Anadarko Basin. Comparable business model and advocacy remit in a different basin, serving as a structural reference point for how a regional upstream association operates.

Emerging players

• National Stripper Well Association: Trade group focused on marginal/low-volume well operators, a segment of the upstream base that overlaps with PBPA's smaller members (Gusher, Wildcat, Black Gold tiers). Comparable advocacy model for a specific operator subset that intersects with PBPA's constituency.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pbpa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/permian-basin-petroleum-association
• Facebookfacebook.com/PermianBasinPetroleumAssociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Permian Basin Petroleum Association