March 2026 - Jeff Hurd

A bit about Jeff Hurd
What do you find most fascinating/challenging about the O&G industry?
What I find most interesting about the oil and gas industry is the environments the equipment must operate in. High pressure, high temperature, and aggressive chemicals really push materials to their limits.

What is your hobby and why?
One hobby I enjoy is cooking, especially experimenting with chocolate and different confections. It’s relaxing, but it also appeals to the chemist in me. There’s a lot of similarity to rubber development—balancing ingredients, temperature, and process to get the result you want. And when it works, I also get to eat the results.

Have you had a mentor in the industry, and what valuable lesson or catchphrase has that person passed to you?
I’ve been fortunate to work with several experienced chemists and engineers over the years who were willing to share what they knew. I’ve personally based my life around one quote: “If you’re going to walk on thin ice, you might as well dance.” To me, that means if you’re going to try something new or take a risk, commit to it and see where it leads.

What do you enjoy most about your job, and what advice do you have for others?
When I can help someone improve their part or find a better solution, that’s very rewarding. I like knowing that when I help them, they can get a good night’s sleep knowing I have their back.

My advice is simple: ask why. Explore new ideas and question why something is done a certain way. Many times, the answer is legacy thinking—“we’ve always done it that way.”

How long have you been with EPG, and what brings you back year after year?
I’ve been attending EPG for many years throughout my long career. I keep coming back because of the people. It’s a great group, and I enjoy the conversations and the opportunity to help others think through the problems they’re facing.