NAPE Day 1

NAPE Summit 2016 kicked off yesterday with the business conference and the ice breaker, and of course a number of private parties and dinners.

The last few NAPEs have been held in the wake of depressed commodity prices but this year's event starts under the gloom of sub-$27 oil.

As one would expect, prices seem to have had an impact. Though I don't know numbers, attendance seem to be down this year based solely on the ability to walk around at ice breaker or through the Hilton lobby.   And the ice breaker certainly seemed to lack any real excitement.

Naturally prices and the result of depressed prices are topics 1, 2 and 3 in most conversations. Anecdotally, I've not talked to anyone yet bullish about prices in 2016 and few who have much optimism for 2017.