CenterPoint is one of 13 Houston companies on Time's list. Photo via centerpoint.com

Seven Houston-based businesses focused on the energy industry appear on Time magazine and Statista’s new ranking of the country’s best midsize companies.

Time and Statista ranked companies based on employee satisfaction, revenue growth, and transparency about sustainability. All 500 companies on the list have annual revenue from $100 million to $10 billion.

The Houston energy-focused companies on the list are:

  • No. 141 MRC Global. Score: 85.84
  • No. 176 National Oilwell Varco. Score: 84.50
  • No. 266 Nabor Industries. Score: 81.59
  • No. 296 Archrock. Score: 80.17
  • No. 327 Superior Energy Services. Score: 79.38
  • No. 359 CenterPoint Energy. Score: 78.02
  • No. 461 Oceaneering. Score: 73.87
In total, 13 Houston-based businesses appear, with Houston engineering firm KBR topping the Texas businesses that made the list. KBR earned the No. 30 spot, earning a score of 91.53 out of 100. It is joined by these other Houston companies:
  • No. 168 Comfort Systems USA. Score: 84.72
  • No. 175 Crown Castle. Score: 84.51
  • No. 234 Kirby. Score: 82.48
  • No. 332 Insperity. Score: 79.15
  • No. 485 Skyward Specialty Insurance. Score: 73.15

Additional Texas companies on the list include:

  • No. 95 Austin-based Natera. Score: 87.26
  • No. 199 Plano-based Tyler Technologies. Score: 86.49
  • No. 139 McKinney-based Globe Life. Score: 85.88
  • No. 140 Dallas-based Trinity Industries. Score: 85.87
  • No. 149 Southlake-based Sabre. Score: 85.58
  • No. 223 Dallas-based Brinker International. Score: 82.87
  • No. 226 Irving-based Darling Ingredients. Score: 82.86
  • No. 256 Dallas-based Copart. Score: 81.78
  • No. 276 Coppell-based Brink’s. Score: 80.90
  • No. 279 Dallas-based Topgolf. Score: 80.79
  • No. 294 Richardson-based Lennox. Score: 80.22
  • No. 308 Dallas-based Primoris Services. Score: 79.96
  • No. 322 Dallas-based Wingstop Restaurants. Score: 79.49
  • No. 335 Fort Worth-based Omnicell. Score: 78.95
  • No. 337 Plano-based Cinemark. Score: 78.91
  • No. 345 Dallas-based Dave & Buster’s. Score: 78.64
  • No. 349 Dallas-based ATI. Score: 78.44
  • No. 385 Frisco-based Addus HomeCare. Score: 76.86
  • No. 414 New Braunfels-based Rush Enterprises. Score: 75.75
  • No. 431 Dallas-based Comerica Bank. Score: 75.20
  • No. 439 Austin-based Q2 Software. Score: 74.85
  • No. 458 San Antonio-based Frost Bank. Score: 73.94
  • No. 475 Fort Worth-based FirstCash. Score: 73.39
  • No. 498 Irving-based Nexstar Broadcasting Group. Score: 72.71
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This article originally appeared on our sister site, InnovationMap.
Houston-headquartered KBR is working on a new alliance for lithium extraction. Photo via kbr.com

Houston-based KBR taps new partnership for global zero-emission lithium technology

teamwork

A Houston engineering solutions company has teamed up with a company to advance zero-emission lithium extraction technology.

KBR (NYSE: KBR) has signed an alliance agreement with France-based GeoLith SAS to offer its advanced Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) technology, Li-Capt, which allows for zero-emission lithium extraction from untapped sources like oil well brines and geothermal.

"We are excited to collaborate with GeoLith to pioneer advancements in accessing currently untapped sources of lithium to meet the world's increasing lithium-ion battery demand,” KBR President Jay Ibrahim says in a news release. “This alliance supports the global transition towards electrification and reinforces our commitment to a net-zero carbon future. As a world leader in evaporation and crystallization technologies, KBR is well positioned to provide end-to-end solutions essential to the development of sustainable mobility."

Per the agreement, KBR will serve as the exclusive global licensor of GeoLith's Li-Capt technology. The Li-Capt tech helps produce pure lithium concentrate and is adaptable to brine compositions and extraction sources. KBR already boasts an existing suite of battery material technologies like PureLiSM, which is a high purity lithium production technology. The combination of the two technologies aim to provide clients with solutions to produce battery-grade lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide monohydrate. Those are key components for advanced batteries in electric vehicles.

“The transition to electrification requires strong partnerships across the value chain, and we are proud to work with KBR to advance and commercialize our technology on a global scale," Jean-Philippe Gibaud, CEO of GeoLith SAS, says in the release. "Our Li-Capt technology ensures zero-emission lithium extraction, enabling the production of lithium concentrates from a process technology that achieves unparalleled levels of extraction efficiency and lithium selectivity."

KBR was recently awarded a contract by First State Hydrogen, which is building an electrolysis-powered green hydrogen production project. The study is part of First State Hydrogen's plan to provide clean energy to Delaware and the U.S. mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, KBR’s K-GreeN technology has been selected by a group of organizations — including Lotte Chemical, KNOC (Korea National Oil Corp), and Samsung Engineering — for the Sarawak, Malaysia-based H2biscus green ammonia project being developed by Lotte Chemical. The K-GreeN is a proprietary green ammonia development process. According to the company, KBR has licensed, engineered, or constructed over 250 ammonia plants since its founding in 1943.

The study is part of First State Hydrogen's plan to provide clean energy to Delaware and the U.S. mid-Atlantic region. Photo via Getty Images

Houston engineering firm tapped as service partner for clean hydrogen production facility

seeing green

A Houston company has scored an engineering services contract on a clean hydrogen production facility in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region.

KBR announced that it has been awarded the contract by First State Hydrogen, which is building an electrolysis-powered green hydrogen production project. The study is part of First State Hydrogen's plan to provide clean energy to Delaware and the U.S. mid-Atlantic region.

"We are excited to be a part of this important project that will contribute toward a cleaner, more sustainable world," KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions President Jay Ibrahim says in a statement. "This award highlights KBR's extensive and innovative clean hydrogen expertise, in providing solutions that matter, and our strategic commitment to the energy transition."

Houston-headquartered KBR has lead the hydrogen market as a technology and service provider.

"This is an important step for First State Hydrogen as we start laying the groundwork for a clean hydrogen facility that will drive our mission to responsibly and safely advance the clean hydrogen economy and create a more sustainable future," Dora Cheatham, vice president of sales and commercialization at First State Hydrogen, says in the release. "We're excited to have the KBR team with us on this journey."

Houston-headquartered KBR's green ammonia tech will be implemented in a project in Malaysia. Photo via kbr.com

KBR zero-carbon ammonia tech tapped for Malaysia project

seeing green

A Houston corporation's green technology has been selected by a chemical consortium of companies for a project in Asia.

KBR (NYSE: KBR), an engineering services company, revealed today that its K-GreeN® technology, a proprietary green ammonia development process, has been tapped by a group of organizations — including Lotte Chemical, KNOC (Korea National Oil Corp), and Samsung Engineering — for the Sarawak, Malaysia-based H2biscus green ammonia project being developed by Lotte Chemical.

"We are pleased to work with Lotte Chemical and support their energy transition objectives with our zero-carbon K-GreeN® technology," Doug Kelly, KBR president, Technology, says in a news release. "KBR is a leader in advancing clean hydrogen technologies and solutions, and green ammonia is a key enabler to achieving global net zero targets. Our green ammonia solutions and complementary technologies such as H2ACT make KBR the preferred technology licensors for major energy transition projects around the world."

Per the agreement, KBR will provide the technology license, as well as the engineering design, for its K-GreeN process. The H2biscus project is expected 800 KTA of green ammonia from hydropower, per the release.

Last summer, KBR Houston-based announced the partnership with Air Liquide on a large-scale low-carbon ammonia partnership that will offer KBR customers a more sustainable option through Autothermal Reforming (ATR) technology.

KBR has licensed, engineered, or constructed over 250 ammonia plants since its founding in 1943, according to the company.

Chevron — as well as nine other Houston energy companies — was named a top company by Newsweek. Photo via chevron.com

10 Houston energy companies recognized as best workplaces on annual list

best of class

Newsweek recently recognized the country's top workplaces, and 10 Houston energy businesses made the cut.

The annual America's Greatest Workplaces 2023 list, which originally published in the fall, gave 10 Houston energy companies four stars or above.

ConocoPhillips is the only Houston-based energy company to receive five out of five stars. Baker Hughes, Exxon, S&B Engineers and Constructors, and KBR all received four-and-a-half stars. Chevron Corp., Halliburton, J-W Power Co., Q'MAX Solutions, and Valerus secured four stars each.

"Our commitment to engaging the full potential of our people to deliver the future of energy is at the core of everything we do," Rhonda Morris, vice president and chief human resources officer at Chevron, says in a news release. "We do this because our business succeeds best when our employees feel engaged and empowered, and we look forward to building on this momentum for years to come.”

The ranking identified the top 1,000 companies in the United States and is based off of a large employer survey, as well as a a sample set of over 61,000 respondents living and working in the U.S. In total, Newsweek factored in 389,000 company reviews across all industry sectors. The report was in partnership with Plant-A.

"In an economic climate where the job market remains competitive despite fears of a recession, employers who stand out as America's Greatest Workplaces may find they have substantial advantages over their competitors," writes Nancy Cooper, editor of Newsweek, about the report.

KBR and Air Liquide are combining their efforts to advance the energy transition. Photo via airliquide.com

2 Houston energy companies team up for low-carbon ammonia initiative

howdy, partner

Two companies with large presences in Houston have partnered to provide low-carbon ammonia to customers.

Houston-based KBR (NYSE: KBR), an engineering services company, and Air Liquide, a have announced a large-scale low-carbon ammonia partnership that will offer KBR customers a more sustainable option through Autothermal Reforming (ATR) technology.

As far as the collaborative partnership goes, KBR brings its ammonia synthesis technology to the table while Air Liquide has significant experience with ATR for large scale syngas production applications.

"Our differentiated ammonia synthesis technology has been the preferred choice for decades, with complete solutions for blue and green ammonia and large-scale capacity ...," says Doug Kelly, KBR president of technology, in a news release. "The addition of ATR technology further complements our clean ammonia offerings as we work to advance technology solutions to decarbonize the world."

Michael J. Graff, executive vice president of Air Liquide Group, which has its United States headquarters in Houston, says in the release that the combined efforts will help move the sector on its its low-carbon transition. When paired with carbon capture, the new partnered solution will result in preventing 99 percent of carbon emissions, per the release.

"This further illustrates Air Liquide's commitment to sustainable development, supporting customers in industry and mobility to decarbonize their products and operations," he says. "This is a core element of our ADVANCE strategic plan, which inseparably links financial and extra financial performance."

According to the company, KBR holds about half of the market share of licensed capacity within ammonia technology, and has "has licensed, engineered, or constructed over 250 grassroot ammonia plants worldwide" since 1943.

In the future, Air Liquide and KBR have plans to contribute development of low-carbon hydrogen as a key enabler of the energy transition.

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UH launches latest micro-credential program focused on energy risks

coming soon

UH Energy at the University of Houston will launch a new micro-credential program this fall focused on risks associated with today's changing energy landscape.

The new self-paced, hybrid program, known as Managing Non-Technical Risks in Energy, is geared towards energy professionals and those who aspire to work in the industry. Enrollment must be completed by Sept. 15 to participate.

According to UH, it will equip participants with "tools, strategies, and real-world insights needed to lead confidently" as they face pressure to meet increased energy demand while also operating under sustainable guidelines.

The program will be led by expert instructors, including:


  • Suryanarayanan Radhakrishnan, Managing Director of UH Energy
  • Amy Mifflin, Principal Consultant and Partner at Sustrio Inc.
  • Chris Angelides, Honorary Consul of The Republic of Cyprus to Texas, Managing Director at Ernst & Young LLP
  • Carolina Ortega, Vice President, Sustainability and Communications at Milestone Environmental Services
  • Krish (Ravi) Ravishankar, Senior Director ESG Analytics & Reporting, Sustainability, Worldwide Environmental Affairs at Oxy

Participants can earn up to three "badges" through the program. Each badge consists of two modules, which can be completed virtually and take about 10 hours to complete over four weeks.

Each module will also include one in-person engagement session that will last about two hours.

The three badges include:


  • Badge 1: Managing Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts
  • Badge 2: Frameworks, Standards, and Implementation
  • Badge 3: Advanced Applications

Badges can be earned individually or as a series of three, and participants must complete assessments to earn each badge.

Badge 1 Module 1 will start on Sept. 15, followed by Badge 1 Module 2 on Oct. 20. Find more information here.

Expert on powering Texas: The promise and challenges of renewable energy

Guest Column

Texas leads the nation in wind and solar energy, but that leadership is being tested as a surge in project cancellations raises new concerns about the future of renewables in the state.

While Texas clean energy has grown significantly in recent years, solar and wind often fall short of meeting peak electricity demand. As extreme weather, rising demand, and project cancellations strain the grid, Texas must confront the growing gap between renewable potential and real-time reliability.

Solar and Wind Energy

Solar generation in the Lone Star State has grown substantially over the past decade. The Texas solar industry is estimated to employ over 12,000 Texans and is contributing billions in local tax revenue and landowner income, and solar and storage are the largest sources of new energy on the Texas grid.

With a significant number of sunny days, Texas’ geography also enables it to be among the states with the greatest energy potential for solar power generation. Further moving to advance the use of solar energy generation, the 89th Texas legislature passed SB 1202 which accelerates the permitting process for home solar and energy storage installations. SB 1202 empowers homeowners to strengthen their own energy security and supports greater grid resilience across the state.

Texas has also led the United States in wind energy production for more than 17 years, with 239 wind-related projects and over 15,300 wind turbines, which is more than any other state. The economic impact of wind energy in Texas is substantial, with the industry contributing $1.7 billion a year to the state’s gross domestic product. With wind electric power generation jobs offering an average annual wage of $109,826, the growing sector provides lucrative employment opportunities.

However, solar and wind currently struggle to meet Texas’ peak electricity demand from 5 pm to 7 pm — a time when millions of residents return home, temperatures remain high and air conditioner use surges. Solar generation begins to decline just as demand ramps up, and wind production is often inconsistent during these hours. Without sufficient long-duration storage or dispatchable backup power, this mismatch between supply and demand presents a significant reliability risk — one that becomes especially urgent during heat waves and extreme weather events, as seen during ERCOT conservation alerts.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy uses heat from beneath the Earth’s surface to provide reliable, low-emission power with minimal land use and no fuel transport. Though it currently supplies a small share of energy, Texas is emerging as a leader in its development, supported by state leaders, industry, and environmentalists. During the 89th legislative session, Texas passed HB 3240 to create a Geothermal Energy Production Policy Council, set to begin work on September 1, 2025.

In 2024, Sage Geosystems was selected to develop geothermal projects at the Naval Air Station in Corpus Christi, expanding its work with the Department of Defense. In partnership with the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, Sage is using its proprietary Geopressured Geothermal Systems technology to evaluate the potential for geothermal to be a source of clean and consistent energy at the base.

One limitation of geothermal energy is location. Deep drilling is costly, and areas with high water tables, like some coastal regions, may not be viable.

Hydroelectric Energy

While hydropower plays a minor role in Texas’ energy mix, it is still an essential energy source. Its output depends on water availability, which can be affected by seasonal and long-term changes like droughts.

Texas has 26 hydropower plants with a total capacity of nearly 738 megawatts, serving about 2.9 million people as of 2019. Harris County holds 43% of all hydropower generation jobs in the state, and in 2021, hydroelectric power generation contributed $700 million to Texas’ gross domestic product.

Federal funding is helping expand hydropower in Texas. The Southwestern Power Administration has committed about $103 million to support infrastructure, including $32 million for upgrades to Central Texas’s Whitney Dam. The 2021 Inflation Reduction Act added $369 billion in tax credits for clean energy, supporting dam retrofits nationwide. In 2022, the Department of Energy launched over $28 million in new funding through the Infrastructure Law to help meet national clean energy goals by 2035 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

Tidal Energy

Driven by the moon and sun, tidal energy is predictable but limited to coastal areas with strong tides. Although Texas has modest tidal potential, research is ongoing to optimize it. Texas A&M University is developing a floating test platform for hybrid renewable systems, integrating tidal, wave, wind, and solar energy. In addition, St. Mary’s University in San Antonio is prototyping small-scale tidal turbines using 3D printing technology.

While commercial tidal power remains in the research phase, the state’s offshore capabilities, engineering talent, and growing university-led innovation could make it a player in hybrid marine renewable systems. Floating platforms that integrate wave, tide, solar, and wind offer a compelling vision for offshore power generation suited to Texas’ unique coastal conditions.

Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is the largest renewable source worldwide, providing 55% of renewables and over 6% of global energy. While reliable, it can be less efficient, sometimes using more energy to burn the organic matter than it produces, and demand may exceed supply.

In Texas, biomass is a nominal part of the state’s energy portfolio. However, substantial research is being conducted by Texas A&M University to attempt to convert algae and food waste into a cost-efficient source of biomass material. In addition, UK-based biomass and renewable energy company Drax opened its North American headquarters in Houston, which created more than 100 new jobs in Texas’ renewable energy industry.

It’s clear that renewable energy is playing an increasingly important role in shaping Texas’ energy future. But the road ahead demands a realistic view: while these sources can reduce emissions and diversify our generation mix, they do not yet solve for peak load reliability — especially during the critical 5 pm to 7 pm window when grid stress is highest.

Meeting that challenge will require not just investment in renewables, but also innovation in grid-scale storage, flexible generation, market reform and consumer programs. A diversified, resilient energy portfolio — one that includes renewables and reliable dispatchable sources — will be the key to ensuring that Texas remains powered, prepared and prosperous for generations to come.

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Sam Luna is director at BKV Energy, where he oversees brand and go-to-market strategy, customer experience, marketing execution, and more.

Shell to shut down Volta EV charging business with 2,000 stations

pulling the plug

A little over two years after buying it for $169 million, Houston-based Shell USA is shutting down its Volta C electric vehicle charging business.

Shell confirmed to AdExchanger that it will dismantle Volta’s network of more than 2,000 EV charging stations this year. A Shell spokesperson said the energy giant is turning its attention to high-speed public charging stations at Shell-branded sites like gas stations and standalone EV hubs.

Around the world, Shell operates more than 70,000 public EV charging stations. In 2024, the company said it was aiming for a global total of about 200,000 charging stations by 2030.

When Shell announced in March 2023 that it had completed its acquisition of Volta, the energy company said it was gaining an EV charging network with more than 3,000 charging stations at places such as shopping centers, grocery stores and pharmacies.

Shell had said that although Volta’s revenue came from advertising on screens at EV charging stations, it planned to increase the number of charging stations that required motorists to pay for power.

Shell explored a sale of the Volta business earlier this year but didn’t find a buyer, according to AdExchanger.