Veriten CEO Offers Advice on Solving Permian Basin Water Issues

Maynard Holt says the best solutions are those that make money and can move beyond the experimental stage.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 9:08pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal pipe fitting, a glass beaker filled with clear liquid, and a stack of technical documents, arranged elegantly on a clean, light grey background to symbolize the complex challenges of water management in the oil and gas industry.A conceptual still life highlighting the technical complexities of water management in the Permian Basin oil and gas industry.Midland Today

At the Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference, Maynard Holt, the founder and CEO of Veriten, urged the audience to be open-minded and seek solutions that can generate revenue. He emphasized the importance of communication and education around water management, and called for the private sector to provide candor and leadership on this complex issue. Holt also discussed other trends Veriten is tracking, such as the dominance of natural gas, the need for more exploration, and the maturing of Lower 48 oil.

Why it matters

Water management is a critical challenge for oil and gas operators in the Permian Basin, and finding viable solutions is crucial for the industry's sustainability. Holt's advice to focus on profitable solutions that can be scaled up beyond the experimental stage could help drive progress in this area.

The details

Holt urged the conference attendees to 'stress test' themselves and be open to ideas that others may dismiss as impossible. He emphasized the importance of communication and education around water management, noting that understanding of the issue drops off quickly as people leave the room. Holt said the key to finding solutions is identifying ones that make money, as that attracts additional investment to move them past the experimental stage. Veriten is tracking a number of industry trends, including the dominance of natural gas, ample supplies, deliverability pinch points, the need for more exploration, and the maturing of Lower 48 oil.

  • The Permian Basin Water in Energy Conference took place on April 8, 2026.

The players

Maynard Holt

The founder and chief executive officer of Veriten, an energy research and consulting firm.

Veriten

An energy research and consulting firm that is tracking various industry trends, including water management issues in the Permian Basin.

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What they’re saying

“'Stress test yourself. Open your mind to stuff everyone says is not possible.'”

— Maynard Holt, Founder and CEO, Veriten

“'Communication and education around the matter is crazy important.'”

— Maynard Holt, Founder and CEO, Veriten

“'What Texas and Midland have is that can-do spirit. In the next decade, that spirit will be a top Texas export.'”

— Maynard Holt, Founder and CEO, Veriten

What’s next

Veriten plans to continue tracking the various industry trends it has identified, including water management issues in the Permian Basin. The company's insights and recommendations could help guide operators in the region as they seek to address these challenges.

The takeaway

Holt's advice to focus on profitable water management solutions that can be scaled up beyond the experimental stage could be a valuable approach for Permian Basin operators. By prioritizing solutions that generate revenue, the industry may be able to drive more meaningful progress in this critical area.