Annual Virginia Oil and Gas Awards
The Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy’s (DMME), Division of Gas and Oil (DGO) in partnership with the Virginia Oil and Gas Association (VOGA) has created a program to recognize outstanding achievements by members of the gas and oil industry in Virginia.
Awards nomination forms and information for the 2019 awards will be made available as we approach the 2020 deadlines.
Awards nomination forms and information for the 2019 awards will be made available as we approach the 2020 deadlines.
CNX Resources Recognized as 2018 Operator of the Year
2018 Awards for Excellence in the Natural Gas Industry Presented at Annual Virginia Oil and Gas Association Banquet
Abingdon, Va. - CNX Resources was recognized as Operator of the Year and other outstanding achievements by members of the gas and oil industry in Virginia were awarded by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy at the Virginia Oil and Gas Association’s fall meeting, in Abingdon.
CNX Resources uses an ever-evolving business model and the operational culture keeps up with the pace seamlessly. Gathering and using data and successfully overcoming challenges has increased production and reduced operational costs while keeping the safety of its workers and the protection of the environment a priority. The new emphasis on data guided decisions in 2018 required CNX to undertake significant changes that proved challenging at times, but that led to significant improvements.
“We are pleased to take a moment and recognize operators and individuals in the natural gas industry that meet the goals of safety and environmental protection set by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy,” said Deputy Director Butch Lambert . “Working together, we can continue the commitment while providing a positive economic impact across the Commonwealth.”
Other awards presented at the event include:
Safety Stewardship- Columbia Gas established a new safety program in 2018 crediting the workforce of over 400 people for a less than one per 1,000 damage ratio.
Environmental Stewardship- Environmental Monitoring, Incorporated developed new programs to meet new regulations for water monitoring. The company also educated the industry on best practices and available technology to meet compliance.
Environmental Excellence- Chris Moore has 25-years of experience in the natural gas industry and, as a foreman at Enervest, focuses on citizen safety and environmental protection during drilling.
Safety Outreach- Virginia Natural Gas renewed its focus on pipeline safety in 2018. Numerous improvements were made to the infrastructure and the company started an education program about the importance of calling before you dig that now reaches 10,000 students.
Community Outreach- Columbia Gas provided 240,000 meals to hungry Virginians in 2018. Offering to match dollars to posts shared with #sharetocare on social media sites, they were able to donate $10,000 to six food banks.
Community Outreach- EnerVest turned its Clintwood office into a clinic to provide over $18,000 worth of medical services to 150 patients from its community. Employees organized and staffed the events.
Excellence in Community Outreach and Education- As a Permit Specialist for the Gas and Oil Team at DMME, Sally Ketron has helped design and implement water monitoring data required for the industry. She is also involved in educating students across the Commonwealth about natural gas through numerous school events in which the agency is involved.
Individual Community Outreach- Oley Dameron as lead electrician for SERI Incorporated but has also served as lead of the Royal Rangers at his local church. Dameron serves as a role-model for the ministry that includes boys from Kindergarten to 12th grade.
Distinguished Workmanship- After 38 years in the industry Johnny Combs retired this year from CNX Resources. He drilled some of the first and only oil wells in Virginia and was part of drilling the first conventional well.
Excellence in Leadership- Nimmie Hickman has spent the last decade working in energy acquisition at the Washington Gas Light Company. She also serves as chair of the Washington Gas Directors Council, is a board member for the American Association of Blacks in Energy and sits on the Virginia Oil and Gas Association’s Board of Directors.
Excellence in Leadership- Traci Warner is an employee of EnerVest Operating, LLC but is crucial to the success of the Virginia Oil and Gas Association. She worked with the organization for a decade and coordinates 80 member groups.
Excellence in Operational Leadership- Darrell Elswick was present when coal bed methane was first produced in Virginia. He has worked the last 33-years without a lost time accident.
Excellence in Operational Leadership- Darell Boyd has spent three decades at Noah Horn Well Services where has moved up and made a positive impact in safety and environmental while overseeing the drilling process.
Partnership: Experiential Learning Program- Virginia Natural Gas, Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University started an Associate’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree program for industry workers. Classes are online and some are eligible for tuition reimbursement.
Partnership: Cardinal States Gathering System Interconnection- CNX and Kinzer Woodman worked together to design, install and operate a pipeline system that creates a new business and economic gain for Southwest Virginia.
Partnership: Live Feed Elk Camera- Southwest Virginia Sportsmen, CNX and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries installed a camera where viewers can get a live feed of elk and learn how gas wells, pipeline and reclamation of coal mines benefited the habitat. Over 82,000 viewers from 40 states and 40 countries have used the camera. The group credits iGO Technologies for being able to stream the video.
Local Distribution Company of the Year- Columbia Gas is in the top one percent of companies for its safety culture according the National Safety Council. The company serves 275,000 customers in 55 Virginia counties.
Service Provider of the Year- Nichols Construction is known for having the latest training and technologies and placing the high priority on efficiency, safety and health and environment on every jobsite.
2018 Awards for Excellence in the Natural Gas Industry Presented at Annual Virginia Oil and Gas Association Banquet
Abingdon, Va. - CNX Resources was recognized as Operator of the Year and other outstanding achievements by members of the gas and oil industry in Virginia were awarded by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy at the Virginia Oil and Gas Association’s fall meeting, in Abingdon.
CNX Resources uses an ever-evolving business model and the operational culture keeps up with the pace seamlessly. Gathering and using data and successfully overcoming challenges has increased production and reduced operational costs while keeping the safety of its workers and the protection of the environment a priority. The new emphasis on data guided decisions in 2018 required CNX to undertake significant changes that proved challenging at times, but that led to significant improvements.
“We are pleased to take a moment and recognize operators and individuals in the natural gas industry that meet the goals of safety and environmental protection set by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy,” said Deputy Director Butch Lambert . “Working together, we can continue the commitment while providing a positive economic impact across the Commonwealth.”
Other awards presented at the event include:
Safety Stewardship- Columbia Gas established a new safety program in 2018 crediting the workforce of over 400 people for a less than one per 1,000 damage ratio.
Environmental Stewardship- Environmental Monitoring, Incorporated developed new programs to meet new regulations for water monitoring. The company also educated the industry on best practices and available technology to meet compliance.
Environmental Excellence- Chris Moore has 25-years of experience in the natural gas industry and, as a foreman at Enervest, focuses on citizen safety and environmental protection during drilling.
Safety Outreach- Virginia Natural Gas renewed its focus on pipeline safety in 2018. Numerous improvements were made to the infrastructure and the company started an education program about the importance of calling before you dig that now reaches 10,000 students.
Community Outreach- Columbia Gas provided 240,000 meals to hungry Virginians in 2018. Offering to match dollars to posts shared with #sharetocare on social media sites, they were able to donate $10,000 to six food banks.
Community Outreach- EnerVest turned its Clintwood office into a clinic to provide over $18,000 worth of medical services to 150 patients from its community. Employees organized and staffed the events.
Excellence in Community Outreach and Education- As a Permit Specialist for the Gas and Oil Team at DMME, Sally Ketron has helped design and implement water monitoring data required for the industry. She is also involved in educating students across the Commonwealth about natural gas through numerous school events in which the agency is involved.
Individual Community Outreach- Oley Dameron as lead electrician for SERI Incorporated but has also served as lead of the Royal Rangers at his local church. Dameron serves as a role-model for the ministry that includes boys from Kindergarten to 12th grade.
Distinguished Workmanship- After 38 years in the industry Johnny Combs retired this year from CNX Resources. He drilled some of the first and only oil wells in Virginia and was part of drilling the first conventional well.
Excellence in Leadership- Nimmie Hickman has spent the last decade working in energy acquisition at the Washington Gas Light Company. She also serves as chair of the Washington Gas Directors Council, is a board member for the American Association of Blacks in Energy and sits on the Virginia Oil and Gas Association’s Board of Directors.
Excellence in Leadership- Traci Warner is an employee of EnerVest Operating, LLC but is crucial to the success of the Virginia Oil and Gas Association. She worked with the organization for a decade and coordinates 80 member groups.
Excellence in Operational Leadership- Darrell Elswick was present when coal bed methane was first produced in Virginia. He has worked the last 33-years without a lost time accident.
Excellence in Operational Leadership- Darell Boyd has spent three decades at Noah Horn Well Services where has moved up and made a positive impact in safety and environmental while overseeing the drilling process.
Partnership: Experiential Learning Program- Virginia Natural Gas, Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University started an Associate’s Degree and Bachelor’s Degree program for industry workers. Classes are online and some are eligible for tuition reimbursement.
Partnership: Cardinal States Gathering System Interconnection- CNX and Kinzer Woodman worked together to design, install and operate a pipeline system that creates a new business and economic gain for Southwest Virginia.
Partnership: Live Feed Elk Camera- Southwest Virginia Sportsmen, CNX and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries installed a camera where viewers can get a live feed of elk and learn how gas wells, pipeline and reclamation of coal mines benefited the habitat. Over 82,000 viewers from 40 states and 40 countries have used the camera. The group credits iGO Technologies for being able to stream the video.
Local Distribution Company of the Year- Columbia Gas is in the top one percent of companies for its safety culture according the National Safety Council. The company serves 275,000 customers in 55 Virginia counties.
Service Provider of the Year- Nichols Construction is known for having the latest training and technologies and placing the high priority on efficiency, safety and health and environment on every jobsite.