Episodes

  • Episode 62: How Fuel Logistics Drives Efficiency in a Volatile Diesel Market
    Apr 26 2026

    Fuel logistics keeps the oilfield moving, yet it’s often overlooked.


    In this episode of In Basin Observations, hosts Bill Austin and John Daniel sit down with Rolfson Oil’s Jason Berger and Zach Krantz to break down the realities of fuel supply—and the impact of the Flint acquisition.


    They cover:

    Diesel volatility and supply risk

    Centralized procurement

    Automation and fuel optimization strategies


    00:00 Welcome and Setup

    01:22 Jason Rolfson Origin Story

    03:33 Zach Flint Background

    06:14 Scaling and Market Reach

    06:58 Tech and Logistics Edge

    10:53 Automation and Tri Fuel

    13:22 Culture and Meritocracy

    15:44 Selling in Procurement Era

    20:34 Fueling Efficiency Demands

    23:29 Customer Mix and Niches

    27:49 What Customers Call Best

    30:16 Hiring Standards

    31:24 Retention Perks

    32:14 Customer Stickiness

    33:32 Dual Fuel Disruption

    35:32 New Truck Tech

    36:26 Diesel Price Pass Through

    37:56 Supply Optionality

    39:24 Record Months Drivers

    42:41 Flint Acquisition Rationale

    47:07 Fuel Hedging Advice

    51:39 Tri Fuel Explained

    54:03 CapEx And Supply Chain

    55:33 Wrap Up Thanks

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    55 mins
  • Episode 61: Cody Sutton
    Mar 29 2026

    The smallest cost… with the biggest impact.


    On In-Basin Observations podcast, host Bill Austin sits down with Cody Sutton, Co-Founder & CEO at Guide Energy Solutions, to unpack how completions chemistry is becoming a major performance driver.


    From produced water reuse to AI-powered decision-making, they dive into how smarter chemistry, tighter vendor accountability, and data-driven insights are reshaping frac outcomes.


    Tune in now!


    00:00 Conference Intro

    00:47 Guide Overview

    01:20 Founder Background

    03:03 Why Guide Started

    04:47 Chemistry Market 2026

    06:12 Cost Pressure Opportunity

    08:42 Water Treatment Expansion

    10:21 Managing Variable Water

    11:36 Good Water KPIs

    12:34 Iron And Scaling Risks

    14:01 Outcome Based Partnerships

    15:33 Chemistry Impact Reality

    16:43 Predictable Accountability Wins

    17:25 Fast Low Cost Solutions

    18:03 Completions Outlook 2026

    19:31 Bigger Jobs Reuse Pressure

    20:52 Market Share Consolidation

    22:14 AI Agents In Operations

    26:14 Sensors Real Time Data

    26:57 Surfactants Boost Recovery

    28:04 Tune Systems With Data

    29:25 Closing Thanks

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    30 mins
  • Episode 60: Matt Wilks
    Mar 22 2026

    At THRIVE 2026, Bill Austin sat down with Matt Wilks of ProFrac to discuss the current state of the U.S. completions market and how operators are thinking about the next phase of shale development.


    A key theme was the underlying tightness in pressure pumping capacity following years of fleet attrition, with the market appearing stable but lacking meaningful spare capacity. Wilks also highlighted a shift back toward recovery and well performance as efficiency gains begin to plateau, with increased focus on data, automation, and closed-loop fracturing to improve stage quality and consistency.


    The conversation also explored how new Permian gas takeaway capacity could unlock additional inventory and support higher activity levels into the second half of 2026.

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    32 mins
  • Episode 59: CARBO
    Mar 8 2026

    During a recent visit to Carbo Ceramics’ office in Houston, Bill Austin sat down with Max Nikolaev to discuss how operators are reassessing completion design as U.S. shale matures. A key theme was the renewed focus on fracture conductivity and long-term well performance, particularly as supermajors take a longer-term development view of key basins. Nikolaev noted that while the industry’s shift to low-cost sand delivered clear economic benefits, operators are increasingly revisiting proppant design as tier-one inventory declines and recovery optimization becomes more important. The conversation also explored growing interest in lightweight proppants following Exxon’s recent comments, as well as how Carbo’s R&D efforts and customer-driven innovation continue to shape new applications in energy and beyond.

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    28 mins
  • Episode 58: Caterpillar at the BBQ
    Dec 14 2025

    In this episode of the In Basin Observations Podcast (recorded live at the Permian Basin Barbecue Cookoff) Bill sits down with Caterpillar’s Collin Clark and Chris Berry. They highlight CAT’s new gas mechanical system, which nearly doubles pumping horsepower versus legacy diesel units while lowering fuel costs and emissions and running on both CNG and field gas. The discussion also covers the growing grid “power gap” from data center demand and how Caterpillar’s natural gas engines, turbines, and energy storage can be deployed behind the meter, backed by CAT’s ongoing investments in manufacturing capacity and dealer service support.

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    26 mins
  • Episode 57: Texas Steel Conversion
    Nov 16 2025

    In this episode, Bill and Blake visit Texas Steel Conversion (TSC) to discuss the company’s long history in the tubular and drill-pipe markets. The conversation with Russell Werner and John Hubbard from TSC highlights how the company has expanded across multiple facilities in Southeast Texas, driving new efficiency gains in heat treatment, upsetting, and premium connection manufacturing. The team discusses volatility in both OCTG and drill-pipe pricing, the impact of tariffs on domestic producers, and how customer-driven designs are adapting to longer laterals and higher torque requirements.

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    40 mins
  • Episode 56: David Paradis, CEO of GD Energy Products
    Nov 9 2025

    Bill and John sit down with David Paradis, CEO of GD Energy Products, to discuss innovation in high-pressure pumping, the impact of tariffs, and the company’s strategy for growth across U.S. land and international markets.

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    43 mins
  • Episode 55: Dennis Jol (AIQ)
    Oct 26 2025

    In-Basin Observations Podcast – Episode 55: Dennis Jol, CEO of AIQ


    In this episode, Bill and John sit down with Josh Lowery and Dennis Jol, CEO of AIQ, a joint venture between ADNOC / Presight a G42 company focused on applying artificial intelligence across the energy sector. Dennis shares how AIQ was founded to combine ADNOC’s domain expertise with G42’s technology capabilities, transforming operations through data-driven workflows and next-generation analytics. The discussion covers how AIQ has grown to deploy products across 25% of ADNOC wells and all of its drilling rigs, the development of its new Agentic AI platform, and the company’s plans to expand globally from its base in the UAE. Dennis also provides insight into how the region is positioning itself as a hub for energy technology ahead of ADIPEC 2025, where AIQ will co-host the AI Pavilion and will be the Title Sponsor of the Global Energy Soiree.

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    47 mins