The city’s government relations & business economic development consulting firm, EMC Strategy Group, LLC, led by Janice M. Gonzalez and Ernie Gonzalez, Jr., attended the regional meeting. Texas Railroad Commissioner Ryan Sitton was the keynote speaker and provided a positive update regarding the increased production in the Eagle Ford Shale. Commissioner Sitton told attendees that he is confident that the cost of the barrel of oil will increase throughout the next several months and into 2018. This will have a ripple effect in on the overall Texas economy and communities throughout the Eagle Ford. “I am optimistic about the oil and gas industry in Texas and the reports on increased permitting requests that my office is seeing this year,” says Commissioner Sitton.
Currently, the price per barrel is sitting at a comfortable $48.50 and expected to hit $55 by the end of the year. This is a 2.93% increase over last year. Oil companies throughout the Eagle Ford have increased their manpower and productivity and brought back bonus incentives for oil field workers, which had been held back for over a year.
“The information we received at the Eagle Ford Consortium Meeting was absolutely uplifting and will certainly have a positive impact on the regional economy,” says EMC Owner & Founder Janice M. Gonzalez. EMC Strategy Group, LLC, will represent the City of Eagle Pass and its BEDC at all future Eagle Ford Consortium Meetings.
“I am really pleased that the City of Eagle Pass has a physical presence at key meetings throughout the state,” says Eagle Pass City Manager Art Rodriguez. “As we gather important information and relay it back to the mayor, city council, city staff, and the BEDC, we will be able to make better and informed decisions,” adds Rodriguez.
The Eagle Ford Consortium is non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that the communities in the Eagle Ford Shale region can explore, produce and benefit from the area's natural gas and oil resources. Its board is made up of key business and government leaders from throughout the Eagle Ford Shale. Eagle Pass hosted a consortium meeting in 2016 and plans are already in the works to do so again.