Community Engagement

Building relationships

Earning the trust of our stakeholders by what we say and do is part of the Devon culture and one of our corporate values. We’re committed to building relationships of mutual respect with our coworkers and their families, shareholders, neighbors, landowners, mineral-rights holders, policymakers, lawmakers, suppliers, vendors, service companies and schools. Together, we can find solutions and lay the foundation for ongoing cooperation.

We recognize that industrial processes and equipment used in oil and gas development can cause traffic, noise and other issues that affect our neighbors. We’re committed to improving the compatibility of our operations in the communities where we do business and helping mitigate the impact of industry activity. Devon has worked with industry coalitions, state agencies, business owners, individual landowners, local housing developers and others to enhance safety and quality of life in the vicinity of oil and gas operations.

Supporting first responders

Our focus on safety extends to partnering with the emergency responders who protect our communities. We reinforce our commitment to safety by allocating about one-third of our annual giving in our field areas to helping first responders acquire equipment, trucks, training and supplies to support their crucial work. We also deliver holiday treats and host lunches and dinners to show first responders we appreciate their work. Devon donated $143,750 to 65 emergency responder organizations in 2022, bringing our total donations to almost $957,000 since 2018.

Celebrating local cultures

To celebrate the cultures and unique qualities of our communities, Devon donates to local fairs and events where we operate. In 2022, we contributed to the Cuero Turkeyfest, Christmas on the Pecos in Carlsbad, and Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.

Nearly all of our operations in the North Dakota Williston Basin are located on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, home of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation (MHA Nation). We collaborate to earn and maintain the respect of the MHA Nation, including working closely to comply with their practices to reduce the spread of COVID-19 throughout the pandemic. Devon also assists tribal communities through charitable giving for educational, health and safety endeavors, and installed the first-ever Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation STEM center on tribal lands at Edwin Loe Elementary School in the MHA Nation.

Making roads safer in the Permian Basin

While only 2% of Texas’ population lives in the Permian Basin, 11% of traffic fatalities occur on the region’s roads that need $3 billion in repairs to improve safety and meet expected needs. As a sponsor of the Permian Road Safety Coalition (PRSC), Devon works with a cross-section of stakeholders invested in making roads safer and road infrastructure better across southeast New Mexico and west Texas.

Founded in 2015, PRSC brings together oil and gas industry companies and trade groups, agencies, researchers and concerned citizens to leverage expertise, share best practices and collaborate on data-driven research. PRSC also educates the broader community on the shared responsibility for road safety, including providing resources on its website to help everyone drive safely.

The coalition hosts road safety forums and training, and makes donations such as equipment and supplies for the Delaware Basin Emergency Preparedness Initiative (DBEPI) and matching funds to build a critical overpass project in Kermit, Texas. In 2022, PRSC donated $3.2 million for life-saving equipment to first responders across the region.

Devon also supports road safety through our membership in the Permian Strategic Partnership, which identified road safety as an area of urgent regional need through an analysis completed in 2018.

Devon’s investment in the Permian Strategic Partnership grows to $20 million

The region encompassing Devon’s Delaware Basin assets in southeast New Mexico and west Texas became the world’s highest-producing oilfield in 2019. The Permian Basin — a major contributor to America’s energy security, significant job creator and regional economic development engine — is expected to yield 40% of U.S. oil production by 2025.

As one of the Permian Basin’s largest producers, Devon is keenly aware of both the opportunities and challenges stakeholders face in this prolific oil producing region. The increase in activity and growing workforce has put a strain on the region’s infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing and social services.

In 2018, energy companies with assets in the Permian Basin recognized the need for community support and formed the Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) to strengthen and improve the quality of life for residents in the region. The PSP partners with local leaders to develop and implement strategic plans to bring about superior schools, safer roads, quality healthcare, affordable housing and a trained workforce.

After making our initial $10 million, multi-year investment pledge in PSP’s mission in 2018, Devon renewed that commitment in 2023 with an additional pledge of $10 million. Our executive vice president and chief operating officer is a member of the PSP board of directors and our director of community relations serves on its management committee. Our impact is amplified by working together with 16 other member companies to make a positive difference in the Permian Basin.

Since 2018, the PSP has transformed more than $109 million in member contributions into nearly $975 million in collaborative investments. The PSP increased funding for education, invested in career training, expanded healthcare access, improved safety and infrastructure, made housing more affordable for teachers and expanded broadband access across the Permian Basin. The PSP’s investments include, but are not limited to:

$2.6 million
Skillpoint Alliance Career Readiness Programs

$7.5million
Cal Ripken Elementary School STEM Centers

$10 million
Midland College Teacher Excellence & Pre-K Lab

$1.9 million
UTeach (STEM educator preparation)

$12.8 million
Texas Tech Surgery Residency and Sub-Specialty Program

$2.3 million
Permian Basin Counseling and Guidance

$10 million
Hobbs (NM) Career Technical Education Program

$1.3 million
America’s Warrior Partnership

In 2022, Devon connected the PSP with our community STEM partner, the Ripken Foundation. As a result, the PSP approved a plan to add a fully equipped STEM center in 134 Permian Basin elementary schools, touching over 60,000 students and 2,000 teachers in 22 counties. The PSP believes its $7.5 million investment in STEM centers and STEM training for teachers will ultimately inspire young learners across the Permian Basin to explore careers in STEM fields. We’re excited that our longstanding relationship with the Ripken Foundation will have a lasting positive impact on education in the Permian Basin.

Devon is proud to be a leader in this industry coalition that is giving Permian Basin communities the tools and resources they need to benefit from being a state, national and global focal point for energy development.