Abstract: The Independents Role in the Future of the California Energy Industry

KILPATRICK, DAVID, Oil and Gas Consultant, Bakersfield, CA

The West Coast energy business has survived another roller coaster ride with the ups and downs of our commodity prices during the late 1990's. As in the past cycles of prices, the business has gone through some incredible change. Some companies made it through the low times with survival strategies. But at the same time, some companies undertook bold growth strategies that have changed the landscape of the oil business, especially in California. With this backdrop, what does the future hold for the independent producer? Let's take a step back and look at the big picture and then reflect on the possible niches that independents may exploit in the new millennium.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90911©2000 AAPG Pacific Section and Western Region Society of Petroleum Engineers, Long Beach, California