OKLAHOMA CITY — You would expect an Oklahoma-born lifelong Republican oil tycoon who is active in energy policy to be feted at a Southern Republican Leadership Conference with the theme “Energizing America.”

Pickens celebrated his 87th birthday at a packed luncheon during a break in Friday’s speeches by 2016 Republican presidential candidates, pressing the flesh and chatting amiably with conference attendees near tables with Oklahoma State orange centerpieces.