Larry Richards, president, PBIOS Permian Basin International Oil Show, joins Jason Spiess, the founder of The Crude Life and explains why PBIOS fills over 20 acres of land and half a dozen buildings.
“You'll have the chance to interact with more than 750 exhibitors across 1,100 booths at the Ector County Coliseum. This year's show spotlights technological advancements, significant innovations, and the increasing emphasis on environmental, social, and governance initiatives,” Richards said. “As technology unlocks previously thought-to-be-depleted reserves, the industry has responded with new products and services, prioritizing both hydrocarbon recovery and environmental protection. The Permian Basin International Oil Show serves as a premier showcase for these cutting-edge technologies. In our region, characterized by grit, courage, and resilience, we welcome you to PBIOS 2023, where Innovation and Technology Meet Permian Grit.”
The Permian Basin is an iconic region for the oil show, initially explored by industry pioneers in the 1920s. It has weathered numerous cycles of booms and busts over the decades. While some believed its reserves were depleted, advanced technology, notably horizontal drilling, and hydraulic fracturing, has consistently revitalized the basin, underscoring its enduring significance.
In parallel, the oil show has expanded not just in scale but also in significance.
Amidst industry fluctuations, economic challenges, global crises, and a pandemic, the Permian Basin International Oil Show has earned the fitting moniker, "The Working Man's Show." Its triumph has also garnered acknowledgment as "one of the world's largest and most forward-thinking inland petroleum expos."
Biennially, the oil show attracts industry professionals to Odessa from around the globe. It serves as a platform to explore cutting-edge technology, discover the latest equipment, and foster valuable connections. Originally known as the "Little International Show" in 1940, it briefly halted during World War II but was reinvigorated by determined Permian Basin oilmen post-war.
By 1950, it was back in action. What sets the Permian Basin International Oil Show apart is its nonprofit status and volunteer-led operation, with industry experts at the helm. Their unwavering commitment to educating both office and field professionals in the oil and natural gas sector has been the driving force behind its tremendous success.
The Permian Basin International Oil Show not only showcases the very latest technology, it also honors the industry’s past. A working cable tool rig operates daily on the show grounds, surrounded by trucks and oil field equipment from the 1930s, which was a key growth period for the Permian Basin.
In addition to showcasing cutting-edge technology, the Permian Basin International Oil Show honors the industry's history. A fully operational cable tool rig can be seen daily on the show grounds, adjacent to the Oldtimers' lounge, which houses a wealth of historic memorabilia. Together, these features celebrate the remarkable legacy of the oil and gas industry.
The oil show is exclusively open to industry professionals for the entire three-day exhibition, taking place from October 17 to October 19. This event serves as a vast marketplace and international convention, catering to a diverse audience. Whether you're a chief executive, an engineer, a geologist at corporate headquarters, or a lease operator or contractor in the field, there's something here for everyone in the industry.
#PBIOS2023 is diverse and exhilarating, showcasing the industry's ongoing evolution. From its modest beginnings in 1940 with just 35 exhibitors, it has continued to expand, embodying the resilience of an industry and a region that thrive in the face of challenges. We're delighted to have you here, contributing to the enduring success of this remarkable event.
Dick Sivalls was born on November 13, 1934 in Oklahoma City, OK. He attended the University of Oklahoma and received a B.S. Degree (with Distinction) in Mechanical Engineering, and held several honorary positions and memberships in his time there, including Phi Eta Sigma, Pi Tau Sigma, Sigma Tau, Tau Beta Pi, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Sigma Chi. He was also the business manager of the Engineering Magazine, receiving the Sooner Shamrock Award twice. Dick is a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) and a Fellow Member of the National Society of Professional Engineers (F.NSPE)
Dick was married to the late Lura Jo, with whom he had two children, Stephanie Lynne (Sivalls) Latimer and Tracy Louis Sivalls. Additionally, Dick is a proud grandparent of three wonderful grandchildren.
After serving two years in the U.S. Army Signal Corp where he achieved the rank of Sergeant, Dick started his professional career in the oil and gas industry. He has worked for Sivalls, Inc. since 1959 and is currently President and Chief Executive Officer. Sivalls, Inc. designs, manufactures, and sells process equipment for the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. Dick still holds the title of President of Tectrol, Inc. and Control Ventures, Inc. (formerly Control Equipment, Inc.).
Dick is an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Odessa, TX, where he has held several board positions, including that of Chairman of the Administrative Board, the Finance Committee, the Ushering Committee, and the First United Methodist Church of Odessa Foundation, Inc.
Dick has a long list of public service of note to his name, ranging from board and elected positions with: the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, the Odessa Industrial Development Corporation, the Permian Basin Workforce Development Board, the Odessa Development Corporation, the Odessa Rotary Club, the Salvation Army of Odessa Advisory Board, United Way of Odessa, the Ector County Economic Development Corporation, the ECISD Career Oversight Advisory Board, the Odessa College Foundation Board of Trustees, the University of Texas Permian Basin President’s Advisory Board, and more. He is also a Founding Member, Advisory Board Member, and Finance Committee Member of the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dick has been incredibly active in many oil and gas Trade Associations and is currently a long-standing Board Member of the Permian Basin International Oil Show. He has also held several elected offices including City Council of Odessa, Mayor Pro-Tem of Odessa, Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission and Past Chairman of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association.
Dick was President of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers, holding several elected and appointed positions from 1977 through 2008. These included Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Texas Engineering Foundation, Chairman and Life Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, and numerous Advisory Committee positions at the University of Oklahoma, Odessa College, and the University of Texas Permian Basin. In addition, he has written and published over 40 technical articles and papers on oil and gas production and processing equipment design, and taught engineering short courses in gas processing and oil treating at Texas Tech University, the University of Oklahoma, and Texas A&M University. Dick also has the honor of being a member of the Distinguished Graduates Society of the College of Engineering at the University of Oklahoma
“The Permian Basin International Oil Show is proud to have Dick Sivalls as our honoree to recognize his lifetime of achievements in the oil and gas industry and in our communities. His commitment to engineering, public service, and his passion for educating others is an inspiration to all of us. He continues to leave an indelible mark on the industry and the communities of West Texas and beyond,” Richards said.
There is no oil and natural gas producing region in the world more dynamic than the Permian Basin. The area has been a mainstay of U.S. production since the 1920s. Every time industry experts begin to think the region has finally played out, new technology comes along, and the basin comes roaring back, bigger and better than ever.
Steadfast in nature, the Permian is an icon of optimism and perseverance, so there is no better setting for an event dedicated to showcasing the trends and advancements that are driving the nation to record production and energy independence.
The Permian Basin International Oil Show is a three-day gathering of producers, service companies, investors and innovators, where ideas are exchanged, friendships are made and deals are born.
A biennial event since the end of World War II, the oil show has grown to represent the very fabric of a great industry. It serves as an international marketplace, where hundreds of booths and exhibitors fill the Ector County Coliseum.
Whether an executive, an engineer, a geologist or an operator in the field, the Permian Basin International Oil Show has something for everyone.
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