March 12, 2026

The Workforce Powering America’s Energy Future with API’s Mike Sommers

15 minutes

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This conversation with Mike Sommers and host Casey Thames was recorded during a workforce celebration event in the Permian Basin and explores the role of the American oil and gas industry in powering the nation’s economy, workforce, and energy security.

Mike Sommers, President and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, discusses the scale of the industry’s impact across the United States, including the millions of jobs supported directly and indirectly by oil and natural gas production. The conversation highlights why the Permian Basin continues to serve as the operational backbone of American energy development and why workforce investment remains critical to the industry’s future.

The discussion also touches on what API calls the “Demand Decade,” a period where global energy demand is expected to increase significantly as population growth, data centers, artificial intelligence, and infrastructure development require more reliable energy. As demand grows, the episode explores the importance of workforce development, industry standards, and the continued role of oil and natural gas in supporting global energy needs.

Mike Sommers
American Petroleum Institute
https://www.api.org

Casey Thames
Oil and Gas Global Network
Host, Digital Doers

Brought to you on Oil and Gas Global Network, the largest and most listened-to podcast network for the oil and energy industry.

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