New partnership strengthens collaboration between industry and higher education to advance opportunities across the Permian Basin
MIDLAND, Texas (November 5, 2026) – The Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) announced today that The Texas A&M University System has joined its membership, becoming the organization’s third university system partner alongside the Texas Tech University System and The University of Texas System.
As one of the nation’s leading university systems, the A&M System brings extensive expertise in education, healthcare, applied research, workforce development, and infrastructure. Its statewide network of 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, and eight state agencies offers significant opportunities to advance PSP’s mission and address the evolving needs of communities throughout the Permian Basin.
“The addition of The Texas A&M University System represents another important milestone for the Permian Strategic Partnership,” said Tracee Bentley, President and CEO of the PSP. “Bringing together three of Texas’ premier university systems alongside our energy industry partners creates an extraordinary opportunity to leverage the expertise, resources, and innovation of these institutions for the benefit of the Permian Basin. The A&M System’s commitment to finding practical solutions to complex challenges aligns directly with our mission, and we are excited about the opportunities this partnership will create for communities across our region.”
The A&M System’s membership builds upon PSP’s longstanding commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships to address the region’s most pressing challenges. Through its expansive research and service network, including Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, and the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service, the A&M System brings additional capacity to support initiatives ranging from rural healthcare access and workforce training to transportation safety and educational advancement.
“The Permian Basin fuels the Texas economy, and the people who live and work there deserve partners who bring more than good intentions,” said Robert L. Albritton, chairman of the A&M System Board of Regents. “Our universities and agencies already serve every county in the region, from Extension agents to emergency response training. This partnership puts that work shoulder to shoulder with the companies building the Permian’s future.”
A&M System Chancellor Glenn Hegar, who spent nearly a decade as Texas comptroller, said the partnership is a chance to return some of what the Permian has given the state. “Permian oil and gas taxes filled the rainy day fund and paid for highways across Texas. That region has carried a lot of weight for the rest of us,” Hegar said. “The A&M System wants to be the first call when Permian communities need answers, whether that’s training the next generation of workers or getting more doctors into rural towns.”
The addition of the A&M System further reinforces PSP’s commitment to building a collaborative network of partners dedicated to ensuring the Permian Basin remains a region of opportunity for generations to come.
About The Texas A&M University System: The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most impactful higher education systems in the country, with an annual budget of $9.1 billion. Its statewide network includes 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and the Texas A&M-RELLIS Campus. The A&M System also plays a direct role in U.S. national security as a member of the teams that manage and operate Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Pantex Plant for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The A&M System serves approximately 184,000 students and reaches millions more through research, service and outreach programs each year. With nearly $1.6 billion in annual research expenditures, the A&M System fuels innovation, supports communities and drives Texas’ economy forward.
About the Permian Strategic Partnership: The Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) is a coalition of 26 leading Permian Basin energy companies and three university systems who have joined together to work in partnership with leaders across the region’s communities to address current and future challenges to the responsible development of the vast oil and natural gas resources of the Permian Basin in the states of New Mexico and Texas. The PSP members are BPX Energy, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Crescent Energy, Deep Blue, Devon Energy, Diamondback Energy, Energy Transfer, EOG Resources, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, Helmerich & Payne, Kinetik, Liberty Energy, Mewbourne Oil Company, Occidental, Oncor, Ovintiv, Permian Resources, Phillips 66, Plains All American, ProPetro, SLB, Targa Resources, The Texas A&M University System, The Texas Tech University System, The University of Texas System, WaterBridge Resources, and Western Midstream. For more information, visit www.permianpartnership.org.