Trump’s trip to West Texas includes visit to rig of <i>World Oil</i> editorial advisor

Ever wonder what goes on, when U.S. President Donald Trump makes a trip to West Texas, especially when it features a visit to an oil field location? Well, one of our editorial advisors got to witness a full day of logistics, when the President visited one of his company’s rigs near Midland, Texas. The rig belongs to Tulsa, Okla.-based Latshaw Drilling Company, whose president, Trent Latshaw, is one of World Oil’s longer-serving editorial advisors.

Fig. 1. The giant American flag erected for President Trump’s visit seems to dwarf Latshaw Drilling Rig 9. Photo: Double Eagle Energy.

On July 29, Trump visited Midland, Texas, and Odessa, its twin city to the west, to deliver a message to industry players, as well as the public. That message, according to the White House, was to describe how the U.S. is achieving energy dominance by cutting regulations, simplifying permitting, and encouraging private investment in energy infrastructure.

Arrival and luncheon. Accordingly, late on that Wednesday morning, Trump’s Air Force One 747 landed at Midland International Air & Space Port. There, as he disembarked, the President was met by Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas), Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick (R-Texas), former Secretary of Energy/former Texas Governor Rick Perry (R-Texas), and some local high school students, according to the Midland Reporter Telegram. From there, the presidential motorcade traveled onto nearby Interstate 20, for the drive to Odessa and a fundraising luncheon.

Fig. 2. A large Texas flag flutters in the breeze, as it greets the President and a large contingent of the state’s politicians. Photo: Double Eagle Energy.

As reported by TV station KWES, the motorcade drove by large groups of people lining the roads, to wish Trump well. In downtown Odessa, said KWES, the President was greeted with large cheering crowds, horn-honking and flag-waving. At the luncheon site, the Odessa Marriott Hotel, the newspaper saw former Texas House Speaker/current Texas state Rep. Tom Craddick and his wife, Nadine, entering the luncheon, along with their daughter, Christi Craddick, one of three Texas Railroad Commissioners.

After the luncheon, the presidential motorcade drove back eastward to Midland, and then east of town. Driving along Farm-to-Market Road 307, and then down County Road 1120, enroute to the rig site, local media again reported that large groups of people lined the route, expressing support for Trump.

Fig. 3. President Trump gave nearly a half-hour speech, with Latshaw Drilling Rig 43 as a backdrop. Photo by Bob Daemmrich, courtesy of Latshaw Drilling Company.

The rig site visit. Finally, upon arriving at the well site, Trump and his motorcade encountered Latshaw Drilling Rigs 43 and 9, both drilling on adjacent pads for operator Double Eagle Energy. Dominating the site was a giant American flag, hung from a large crane and seeming to dwarf Rig 9, Fig. 1, as well as a very large Texas flag hung from another crane. Another large Texas state flag fluttered from Rig 43, Fig 2, and additional American flags dotted the site. The President got out of his limousine and walked up onto an outdoor stage, where he posed with executives from Double Eagle.

Trump then returned to his limousine, which drove around to a large tent that had been set up in front of Rig 43. There, several hundred people were waiting. “Among those greeting the President were Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt, former Energy Secretary and Governor Perry, local politicians and others,” said Latshaw.

The President delivered his remarks from a platform (Fig. 3) set up in front of several oil barrels, with Rig 43 looming in the background. In his remarks to the crowd, Trump began by noting, “I’m thrilled to be here in Midland, Texas, with the extraordinary men and women of Double Eagle Energy….There’s a lot of big, beautiful rigs behind me.” He went on to talk about America’s recently gained energy independence, as well as some Covid-19 updates. He then switched back to the energy theme, stating, “Under the last administration, America’s energy industry was under relentless and unceasing attack.” He went on to list some of the steps he has taken to protect U.S. oil and gas.

Fig. 4. President Donald J. Trump is applauded as he displays his signature after signing four presidential permits on July 29, 2020, at the Double Eagle drilling site in Midland, Texas. Standing behind the President are (left to right) Secretary of Interior David Bernhardt, Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette, Senator Ted Cruz, U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas), and U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas). Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.

Appreciating Permian production. Switching to a local flavor, Trump told the crowd, “We unlocked the full energy potential of Texas and New Mexico…. And since my election, oil and gas production in the Permian basin has more than doubled. Under the Trump administration, the United States has increased oil production by 3.1 million barrels per day.”

The President also said, “Today, I’m taking another bold action to support energy jobs in Texas. In a few moments, I will sign four critical permits, granting approval to vital pipeline and railway infrastructure on our nation’s border. That’s a big deal. This will include two permits allowing the export of Texas crude to Mexico—a giant victory for the workers of this state that you’ve been after for many years.”

Later, in closing, Trump stated, “So on behalf of every American energy worker, I will now sign these very important permits that your governor and your senators have been after me for a long time to sign.”

“After his talk, he did have a signing ceremony (Fig. 4) where he signed four permits pertaining to various pipeline projects,” said Latshaw. And then the President climbed back into his limousine, and the motorcade headed back to Midland International Air & Space Port, for Air Force One and the trip back to Washington. “Obviously, Trump and his administration are very supportive of our industry, and it shows from his speeches and his actions,” added Latshaw. And, obviously, it is a day that Trent Latshaw won’t soon forget.