Johan Themaat

Panelist Profile

Session: ​Oil & Gas Employment Trends - Riding Through Market Disruptions

​Over the past several years, many industries have seen the evolution to a “gig economy” – a trend defined by flexible contract-based employment where employees are freelancers and employers are adapting the needs of the moment.  With recent shifts in the Colorado employment market, the gig economic has arrived to oil and gas, with fewer larger companies, an increase in smaller start-ups and the need for an entrepreneurial approach to employment.  What does this mean for the oil and gas workforce in the state and how can these emerging trends provide expanded – if unconventional – opportunities for both employees and employers?

CEO
Black Canyon Midstream

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About Johan Themaat

For the past three years, Johan Themaat has been leading the Black Canyon Midstream team. Johan grew up in South Africa, where he received his engineering degree.  Johan moved to the US twenty years ago to pursue an MBA.  After completing an MBA at Tulane University in New Orleans, Johan fell into the energy business as an investment banker in Houston focused on the midstream sector.  In 2011, after a few Colorado ski vacations, Johan and his family moved to Denver, which he is thrilled to call home.  In Denver, Johan joined High Sierra Energy, later acquired by NGL Energy Partners, as a Vice President, responsible for M&A and Investor Relations.  At High Sierra Energy and NGL, Johan helped grow the water midstream and crude midstream businesses, and supported M&A activities across the company.  Since 2014, Johan has been an entrepreneur, first starting First River Energy, a crude gathering company, and joining Black Canyon Midstream in the second half of 2016.  Johan lives in Cherry Hills Village with his college sweetheart and two kids, enjoys snowboarding and skiing with his family in Winter Park, and keeps a music hobby alive by volunteering on the music production team at church

2020 Panelist Profile | Q&A with Johan

What are you looking forward to at this year’s Energy Summit (aside from your session)?

I have been encouraged by a number of industry friends to attend and I’m excited to get back out there and mingle, even remotely, with everyone working hard to keep the energy flowing.

Why do you think this topic is critical in the oil and natural gas industry at this time?

I believe this is a historic time for of our industry given the scale of layoffs.  At this same time I believe there also exist a massive opportunity on the technology side of our business for smaller businesses able to deliver the benefits of these technologies to the industry.  I would be happy to share my experiences in starting and keeping alive a new midstream business during these times.

How would you recommend that someone stays current on these issues if they are interested or want to know more?

Being an active participant in local industry organizations.  Also network outside of our industry, to get diverse views and information flows.  We all are tempted to get stuck in our bubbles.

What is your personal favorite story about, or characteristic of the Colorado oil and natural gas community and those who work in it?

I believe we in the Colorado Oil and Gas industry are uniquely some of the biggest environmentalists and outdoors people. Also we have the unique skills (engineering, science, legal) and financial resources to make a difference for the environment while keeping the energy flowing.

Any great books or binge-worthy shows to recommend?

Anything SCI-FI on the shows side, and currently reading Extreme Ownership, Jocko and Leif.

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