Marshall Watson, an SPE member and chair of the Bob L. Herd Department of Petroleum Engineering at Texas Tech University, was surprised when Paramount Pictures reached out to him for assistance with their new series "Landman." Initially skeptical of the call, Watson discovered the show was created by Taylor Sheridan and focuses on the challenges of the oil industry in west Texas. Sheridan, known for the hit series "Yellowstone," has a reputation for meticulous detail which meant the production needed expert guidance to portray the industry authentically.
Watson’s background made him a perfect fit for the role of consultant. With 23 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, including work with Shell in the Permian Basin and academic contributions at Texas Tech, Watson spent years sharing his expertise with various audiences. His leadership at Texas Tech’s Oilfield Technology Center (OTC), which houses the nation’s first full-scale operational oil rig on a university campus, likely brought him to Paramount’s attention.
Watson provided the "Landman" crew with foundational knowledge, offering “Oilfield 101” training and organizing field visits to operational drilling sites near Lubbock, Texas. Later, he served as an on-set advisor in Fort Worth delivering presentations to the production team and helping them understand realistic industry scenarios. However, Watson acknowledged that some complexities of the oil field wouldn’t resonate with a general audience.
When Watson needed to focus on his academic responsibilities, he recommended Texas Tech alumnus and engineer Terry Fuller to step in. Fuller, president and founder of Phoenix PetroCorp Inc., worked closely with the cast and crew, including lead actor Billy Bob Thornton, who plays the main character in the show.
The first episode of "Landman" premiered in November and showcased dramatic, explosive scenes far removed from the day-to-day operations Watson experienced in the oil field. “Hollywood is Hollywood,” he said. “Blowing up stuff is a lot less boring to watch than gas hissing, or something like that.”
Despite the creative liberties, Watson appreciated the show’s subtle nods to Texas Tech including a character wearing the university’s logo and references to its research capabilities.
While it remains unclear if the show will inspire greater interest in the petroleum sector, Watson sees his involvement as a unique opportunity to educate others about the industry and dispel misconceptions. For him, sharing the realities of the oil and gas business is a privilege and a mission he embraces.
Watson has been a professor at Texas Tech serving on the petroleum engineering faculty since 2006. He is a registered professional engineer in Texas and three other states.
Prior to arriving at Tech, his 30 years' industry experience was with both major and independent oil companies, beginning with Shell Oil Company working as a production and reservoir engineer in the Permian Basin. He has authored and coauthored several presentations, technical papers, and courses.
Watson is a 43-year member of SPE and a member of the Society of Petroleum Evaluation Engineers (SPEE) and the West Texas Geological Society. He was the recipient of the 2016 SPE Southwestern North America Regional Distinguished Achievement Award for Petroleum Engineering Faculty and the 2021 SPE Distinguished Member Award. He served as the 2012 SPEE President and still serves as advisor and on various committees.
He holds a BS from Cornell University and an MS and PhD from Texas Tech in petroleum engineering.
