[2] Papa graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, where he received a bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering in 1968.
[3][4] He went on to receive a master's degree in Business Administration from the University of Houston.
[6] In 1999, he founded EOG Resources, an oil and gas company headquartered in Houston, Texas.
[6] Additionally, he serves on the board of directors of Oil States International.
[3] He has served as the chairman of the United States Oil and Gas Association.