At this year’s Annual Meeting, held on March 17-18 at the stunning Sundance Mountain Resort, Utah Petroleum Association (UPA) proudly honored the industry’s commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and community engagement. These awards celebrate the individuals and companies making a lasting impact in Utah’s oil and natural gas sector through innovative initiatives and unwavering dedication.
Safety Leadership Award: Driving a Culture of Safety
Safety is at the heart of our industry, and this award recognizes outstanding contributions that have enhanced workplace safety programs, fostered a culture of accountability and introduced innovative solutions.
This year’s nominees included:
- Berry Petroleum — Workplace Violence Prevention & Training
- Chevron — Management of Work Permitting Process (Derek Christensen)
- Greylock — Engineering Controls — Automated Telemetry System
- Sawtooth Caverns — Established an Internal Safety Council
- HF Sinclair — Refinery Safety App
Winner: Sawtooth Caverns — Established an Internal Safety Council
Sawtooth Caverns has elevated its safety culture through a proactive and employee-driven approach, emphasizing process safety management (PSM) and engagement at all levels. Following multiple near misses, the company established the Sawtooth Safety Council, a cross-functional team designed to foster collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. Led by Terminal Manager Josh Morris and EHS Representative Jonathan Lovell, the council includes rotating members from operations, control room, lab and maintenance teams, ensuring diverse perspectives in monthly safety discussions. Key achievements include enhanced procedure accuracy, increased participation in safety initiatives, and a noticeable cultural shift towards proactive safety ownership. By empowering employees to take an active role in safety improvements, Sawtooth Caverns has strengthened its commitment to excellence in workplace safety.
Environmental Leadership Award: Championing Sustainable Practices
As stewards of Utah’s natural resources, our members continuously strive to minimize environmental impact and implement forward-thinking solutions. This award highlights those efforts that go beyond regulatory requirements to make a real difference.
This year’s nominees included:
- Beth Mills, Berry Corporation — Advanced Achievement of Methane Reduction Goal
- Faithe Schwartzengraber, Big West Oil — Environmental Improvements & Increased RCA of Environmental Events
- Greylock Energy — Methane Emissions Reduction
- Nate Robinson, IWM — Responsible Energy Waste Management & Sustainability
- Ute Indian Tribe Willow Creek Microgrid
- Camila Amazquita, Williams — Emissions Reduction Program
Winner: Greylock Energy — Methane Emissions Reduction
Greylock Energy has made significant strides in methane emissions reduction through innovative, cost-effective solutions in the Uinta Basin following its 2022 asset acquisition. The company launched a two-pronged approach to tackle emissions, starting with the Tower K Project, which replaced 246 individual dehydration units with a centralized, emission-controlled facility — resulting in a 192-ton annual methane reduction, recapturing 239 MMCF of gas per year, and improving air quality for the Uintah & Ouray Reservation. Additionally, Greylock implemented a pneumatic pump replacement program, switching to solar-powered pumps and enhanced leak detection and repair (LDAR) efforts, leading to an additional 1,942-ton methane reduction and avoiding $1.75 million in methane tax for 2024. These efforts collectively lowered Greylock’s corporate methane intensity by 34%, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability, operational efficiency and environmental stewardship in Utah’s oil and gas industry.
Community Champion Award: Giving Back to Utah
Beyond operations, our industry is deeply involved in the communities we serve and actively seeks to better them. This award honors those who have gone above and beyond in supporting local initiatives, educational programs and workforce development.
This year’s nominees included:
- Arikka Von, Chevron — Partnerships, Volunteering, and Non-Profit Contributions & Employee Engagement
- Nate Robinson, IWM — Education, Youth Development, Community Recreation & Cultural Conservation
- Williams — Welfare and Education
Winner: Williams — Welfare and Education
Williams has demonstrated exceptional commitment to community welfare and education, most notably through its $30,000 contribution to fund a new playground for Parkside Elementary School, ensuring a safe and inclusive space for its 453 students. This funding, combined with an additional $100,000 from the city, transformed the school’s outdated and hazardous playground into a vibrant, safe environment for children to play and grow. Beyond this, Williams actively supports Parkside’s Childhood Hunger Initiative Power Pack (CHIPP), providing weekend meals for students in need, and sponsors a book drive during Black History Month, enriching the school’s library with nearly 100 donated books. With 86% of Parkside students on free and reduced lunch programs, Williams’ contributions have directly enhanced student well-being, education and community pride. Through these efforts, Williams exemplifies true corporate responsibility, making them a deserving recipient of the Community Champion Award.
Celebrating Leadership and Excellence
UPA extends its congratulations to all nominees and winners for their unwavering dedication to making Utah’s oil and gas industry safer, more sustainable and deeply engaged with the communities we call home. Your leadership and innovative spirit set the standard for excellence in our industry.
