AUSTIN – Railroad Commission Chairman Christi Craddick delivered opening remarks today at the kick-off of Power Across Texas’ 2015 Energy Innovation Challenge in Austin. The event featured graduate students from Texas universities working to meet the challenge of bringing forward new, innovative ideas on recycling produced water generated through the production of oil and gas. The ultimate goal is to curb industry use of freshwater.

“The oil and gas industry is one of the most technologically advanced industries in the world, and innovation is what made possible our recent energy renaissance,” Craddick said. “In Texas’ Barnett Shale, the introduction of combined hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling revolutionized oil and gas production worldwide, allowing the industry to safely access energy resources that were once thought unreachable.

“Today, we face a new challenge in Texas – water conservation,” Craddick said. “As in any industry, the use of our state’s precious freshwater is a paramount concern. Using technological advances, the amount of water recycled or reused and the use of brackish water in this state have increased about 21 percent between 2008 and 2011, to approximately 17,000 acre-feet. There is still much work to be done. The Energy Innovation Challenge’s effort to further recycling and water conservation is on par with critical research being developed within the oil and gas industry now.

“In Texas, the oil and gas industry’s innovative strides are reflective of the fact that we have the most highly skilled, expert workforce in the world,” Craddick said. “Texas has so many young, eager minds that want to be a part of this industry’s bright future. I look forward to their new ideas continuing to advance the industry’s success.”