ConocoPhillips shuttles to Midland as Permian activity ramps up

ConocoPhillips flew from Houston Intercontinental to Midland International Air and Space Port on May 18, 2026, aboard its Embraer ERJ-145XR (N284CP), a 1-hour 3-minute hop that has become routine for the oil producer. The aircraft, operated by ConocoPhillips Aviation, is part of a shuttle service launched in mid-2024 to move employees between Houston and key operational hubs including Midland, Carlsbad, Bartlesville, and Williston Basin, as reported by ch-aviation. [ch-aviation.com](https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/143080-uss-conocophillips-begins-e145-shuttle-flights)

The flight lands the same week ConocoPhillips continues to execute on its 2026 capital plan, which includes incremental Permian activity. In its first-quarter earnings release on April 30, 2026, the company reported adjusted earnings of $1.89 per share and highlighted strong operational performance in the Lower 48, despite macro volatility. [conocophillips.com](https://www.conocophillips.com/news-media/story/conocophillips-announces-first-quarter-2026-results-and-quarterly-dividend/) The Permian Basin, where Midland serves as a central hub, remains a focus for organic growth.

This shuttle flight is one of several recent trips by N284CP between Houston and Midland, reflecting the company's emphasis on efficient workforce transport for its Lower 48 operations. The ERJ-145XR, previously operated by Intel Aviation, was delivered to ConocoPhillips in May 2024 and is used alongside Gulfstream business jets for executive and employee movement. [ch-aviation.com](https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/142313-uss-conocophillips-acquires-its-first-e145-business-jet) For ConocoPhillips, a company that also runs a sizable fly-in-fly-out operation in Alaska, this shuttle service is a practical, if unglamorous, part of keeping the oil fields running.