Highlights & Awards

Final Round Showcases Next Generation of Energy Innovators

The 2026 NAPE / SMU Energy Innovation Case Competition concluded with an exciting and intellectually rigorous Final Round held live during the NAPE Summit in Houston. A total of eight teams — four graduate and four undergraduate — advanced to the Final Round after competing in a highly competitive virtual first round.

Advancing to Round 2, finalist teams were presented with a case twist — a new challenge that required them to quickly pivot their recommendations and adjust their strategies within a limited timeframe. These refreshed presentations were delivered live before a panel of judges composed of leaders across the energy sector, offering students the rare opportunity to receive direct feedback from seasoned professionals.

After two demanding rounds of competition, the judges selected the Top 3 teams in both the graduate and undergraduate categories — highlighting outstanding analytical performance, innovative thinking, and compelling presentation skills.

- 1st Place: Anthony Ramone, Blake Hightower, Carson Hanson, Syed Sajjad — Southern Methodist University
- 2nd Place: Tom Schwartz, Aidan Larrabee, Jacob Tarter, Chandler Majusiak — Texas A&M University
- 3rd Place: Connor Chalmers, Xander Smith, Mathew Schlechten — Montana Tech University
- 1st Place: Mengqi Xia, Sebastian Graham, Bronson Cale, Daniel Johnson — Southern Methodist University
- 2nd Place: Edosa Obaseki, Tolulope Osunsina, Joan Ganzallo, Ryan Caulfield — Southern Methodist University
- 3rd Place: Andrew Clyde, Gabriel Garcia, Luke Conlon, Marshall Vandermeer — Southern Methodist University

Teams Materials

Advancing Strong: 2026 Round 1 Competition Success

The 2026 NAPE / SMU Energy Innovation Case Competition saw strong engagement from talented student teams across the U.S. in both undergraduate and graduate categories. Teams submitted high-quality, innovative materials addressing real energy challenges, impressing judges with strategic depth, creativity, and rigorous analysis.

Undergraduate Participants

Idaho State University
Montana Technological University

University of Oklahoma
Southern Methodist University
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota
Texas A&M University
University of Houston
University of Texas
University of Tulsa
Western Colorado University
West Virginia University

Undergraduate Level Advancers

Montana Technological University
Southern Methodist University
Texas A&M University
University of St. Thomas, Minnesota

Graduate Participants

Rice University
Southern Methodist University
Tulane University
The University of Texas at Dallas
University of Colorado Law School

Graduate Level Advancers

Southern Methodist University
The University of Texas at Dallas

What's next

NAPE Competition

The NAPE Summit is held in February at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, bringing together thousands of energy professionals for the world’s largest energy marketplace. Over 450 companies participated, representing more than 3,500 organizations, providing a platform for networking, deals, and collaboration across the oil, gas, and energy sectors. This year, the Summit also introduced three new hubs—Offshore, Data Center, and Critical Minerals—highlighting emerging areas of the industry.
As part of the Summit, the NAPE/SMU Energy Innovation Case Competition showcased student talent from top universities. Teams competed for a total of $40,000 in cash prizes, with Southern Methodist University’s Spindletop BBAs team taking first place in the undergraduate division, earning $10,000 to share among team members, while Western Colorado University’s Energy Management team secured third place. The competition celebrated the innovation, analytical skills, and creativity of the next generation of energy leaders.
Beyond the competition, the Summit featured the NAPE Charities Celebration, including a performance by the Josh Abbott Band to support veterans and community initiatives. The NAPE Summit highlighted both professional achievements and student innovation, reinforcing its position as a premier venue for industry connection, collaboration, and recognition of emerging talent.